Connecticut Law May Provide Additional Protections for Immigrants

 Posted on April 17, 2025 in Criminal Law

Throughout the United States, many immigrants are currently concerned about the possibility of deportation. President Donald Trump has pledged to deport millions of illegal or undocumented immigrants, and his administration has been conducting raids, detaining people, and removing them from the U.S. Some states, including Connecticut, have taken steps to respond to these actions and help protect immigrants from unfair and illegal treatment. The Connecticut legislature is currently considering an update to the Trust Act that would expand the protections available to immigrants and limit cooperation between law enforcement and federal immigration officials.

The current Trust Act and the proposed changes may affect immigrants who are arrested or charged with crimes. In these situations, immigrants will need to understand their best options for defending against criminal charges and the ways their cases may affect their immigration status. An attorney who understands how criminal law interacts with immigration law can provide crucial support and legal representation to help immigrants protect their rights.

What Is the Trust Act?

In 2013, Connecticut lawmakers passed the Trust Act as a response to policies put in place by the administration of President Barack Obama. These policies were meant to require local and state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency that is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The Trust Act was meant to prevent ICE from requiring state or local officials from being required to perform the duties of federal agencies.

The Trust Act prohibits law enforcement officials in Connecticut from sharing information with ICE unless they are legally required to do so. Any communications with ICE must be limited to sharing non-confidential information, although exceptions may be made in certain situations, such as terrorism investigations. It also prohibits ICE agents from being allowed to have free access to jails or detention facilities.

Some of the most crucial provisions of the Trust Act are related to ICE detainers. These detainers generally consist of requests from ICE to hold immigrants in custody for up to 48 hours. The law prohibits law enforcement agencies in Connecticut from complying with these requests except in certain circumstances. A person may be detained if:

• They have been convicted of a Class A or Class B felony such as murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, or robbery.

• The detainer request is accompanied by a judicial warrant.

• The person ICE is seeking to detain is on a terrorist watch list.

Proposed Changes to the Trust Act

To strengthen the protections provided by the Trust Act, the Connecticut legislature is considering a bill that would add some additional restrictions on law enforcement officials and public agencies when interacting with ICE. State contractors will be prohibited from entering into contracts with the state of Connecticut if they have been working with ICE, and ICE agents will be prohibited from entering courthouses. Lawmakers have stated that the purpose of this bill is to make sure law enforcement agencies in Connecticut can focus on investigating and prosecuting crimes rather than being required to devote resources to addressing federal immigration issues.

Contact Our Hartford Criminal Defense Lawyers

Even though Connecticut law provides some protection for immigrants, there are situations where people may be charged with crimes that could result in deportation. Immigrants who have been arrested will need to understand the potential consequences of a conviction, and with the help of a skilled lawyer, they can take steps to minimize the penalties that could affect their lives.

At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys provide dedicated legal representation for immigrants who have been charged with crimes and other types of criminal defendants. We work to protect our clients’ rights and help them resolve their cases effectively while preventing issues that could affect their immigration status. To get the legal help you need as you address criminal charges, contact us today at 860-290-8690 and schedule a free consultation.