Last Monday, masked ICE agents arrested 2 people inside the Stamford courthouse.
On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers entered the Norwalk Police parking lot, without consent from the department or any other city officials. Police told them to leave.
The next day, ICE agents retured again. Once again, they were directed to depart.
“06880” reached out to the 3 candidates for first selectman, for comment on ICE’s recent actions, and their possible impact on Westport. We also asked 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. She said she and Police Chief Dave Farrell would reply this morning.
Independent Party candidate David Rosenwaks says:
“As first selectman, I will prioritize keeping Westport safe. A current member of the Representative Town Meeting’s Public Protection Committee and a graduate of the Westport Police Academy, I have met and interacted with many of our officers and have learned a lot from them. I believe that we have a world-class police force, and they do an admirable job serving our community.
“I also believe that local law enforcement should be focused on protecting our community by promptly responding to emergencies, preventing crime, and building trust with our citizens. However, I am of the opinion that our local officers should never serve as an extension of ICE. Furthermore, actions we’ve seen from ICE agents are not consistent with Westport’s values of inclusiveness and decency. Thus, if ICE agents showed up in Westport, we would respond similarly to Norwalk.
“If a situation arises that threatens the safety and security of Westport and its residents, I support cooperation between local, state and federal agencies. But I oppose any actions that create fear among our residents and employees who are contributing members of Westport. We must uphold our values of respect, fairness, and community. Westport is a welcoming town where everyone deserves to live in harmony with our shared values of civility and humanity.”
Republican-endorsed candidate Don O’Day says:
“Westport follows the Connecticut Trust Act, which sets the legal framework for how local law enforcement interacts with ICE.
“Under this law, the Westport PD is not required or even expected to cooperate with ICE, except in limited cases such as when there is a signed judicial warrant. I fully support this approach.
“Equally important, everyone in town, residents, visitors, employees — everyone – should feel welcome and safe. My wife Toni is a US citizen, but she was born in Italy. Should her immigration status make her a target? Of course not. But for many immigrants, that’s the fear they live with. It’s wrong.
“Bullying, targeting, or improper treatment of immigrants, or anyone must never be tolerated.
“I am confident that Westport’s Police Department will uphold that principle with dignity and class, as they do every day.”
Democratic Party candidate Kevin Christie says:
“Like many of you, I was horrified to see the video of ICE agents in Norwalk, wearing masks and using tasers to take 2 people into custody. It was disturbing, and it has understandably raised concerns and outrage here in Westport. Let me be clear: Westport is a welcoming community, and as your first selectman, I will fight every day to make sure no one in our community ever has their basic rights ignored or trampled.
“As your first selectman, I will:
* Partner with our police chief to issue a clear public statement so everyone knows their rights and what steps they should take to protect themselves and their families.
* Ensure that constitutional rights are protected and that no federal agency uses intimidation to undermine our community values.
* Be in close contact with state leaders, including Attorney General William Tong and our legislative delegation, to make sure Westport stands on firm legal ground as we protect our community. In fact, I’ve already started these conversations.
“Westport’s strength comes from our values as a welcoming, caring community. In moments like this, our responsibility is to protect every community member, ensure their rights are respected, and reaffirm that Westport aspires to be a place where everyone truly feels a sense of belonging.”
Kevin Christie also sends links to these resources:
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong’s memo on The Trust Act: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/post/general_notices/2025/gn-25-02/trust-act-guidance-memo-20250115.pdf
Governor Ned Lamont’s Family Preparedness Plan:
https://portal.ct.gov/governor/immigration-resources-family-preparedness-plan?language=en_US
ACLU-CT:
https://www.acluct.org/en/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights
For schools:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sde/digest/2024-25/guidance_immigrationactivities_flyer.pdf
If someone has been detained:
https://sites.google.com/view/ctimmigrantcommunityresources/home
Help track arrests:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJS344O2TveLSdNhY4asHNvu8PzUEnyKlDml195TCaPjFvfA/viewform
Connecticut Immigration and Refugee Services organization:
https://cirict.org/
Connecticut Legal Services:
https://ctlegal.org
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(NOTE: Connecticut’s Trust Act limits information that state and local law enforcement can share with ICE, and restricts the circumstances under which Connecticut police officers can cooperate with federal immigration officers. Click here to read the full act.)