Norwalk leaders reassure immigrant families, outline Trust Act limits and legal steps

Norwalk officials and community partners gathered on International Migrants Day to answer residents' questions about immigration enforcement, legal protections and local services as a new federal administration looms.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong told the crowd the state will “respect, honor and protect immigrants and immigrant families.” He said the federal government holds broad immigration power but that the Trust Act and state policy limit local agencies’ role. “We don’t have to help them,” Tong said, referring to federal immigration enforcement. He urged community groups to be ready, build legal phone trees and line up pro bono counsel ahead of any enforcement actions.

Chief James Walsh of the Norwalk Police Department summarized how the Trust Act governs local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He said the statute restricts local assistance except in three circumstances: when a detainer is accompanied by a warrant issued by a judicial officer, when the individual has been convicted of a Class A or B felony, or when the person matches a federal terrorist-screening database. Walsh said officers verify identity, date of birth and court orders through investigative processes before any detention.

Several residents raised concerns about wrongful detentions when new occupants move into addresses previously associated with someone with a criminal record. A member of the audience described cases of people being mistaken for prior residents; Walsh replied investigators cross‑check identification and that arrests are not automatic without verification.

Tong cautioned families with complicated immigration status to “keep your head down, stay safe, take care of yourself and your families, and let us do the rest,” noting the state will try to use legal channels if federal authorities attempt to deny grants or funding to Connecticut. "If they do try to deny funding because of a particular practice by us here in Connecticut, I suspect they will try the same thing in New York, in Maryland, in Illinois, in California," he said, and pledged to sue with other attorneys general if necessary.

Officials advised institutions with public-facing spaces — including colleges and hospitals — to consult legal counsel and plan protective protocols. Tong acknowledged there are no simple answers for campuses but urged administrators to prepare confidential spaces and communications strategies.

The event closed with officials urging residents to report incidents, use city resources and seek accredited legal help rather than relying on paid notario services. “Don’t screw it up by doing something wrong with a notario,” Michael Donahue of Catholic Charities warned during opening remarks, and attendees were directed to legal assistance offered by Catholic Charities’ Norwalk office.

Next steps offered to the community included trainings for local organizations, coordinated phone trees for rapid communication, and a planned press conference involving the attorney general and local officials. City officials emphasized that residents who witness or experience intimidation or hate incidents should report them to Norwalk Police, which has an active hate-incident response and detectives canvassing affected areas.