Politics & Government

CT Adopts Rules for Detaining Undocumented Immigrants

Connecticut is the first state in the country to implement these rules, according to the New Haven Register.

Connecticut became the first state in the nation to implement rules for detaining undocumented immigrants so that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement can take them into custody, according to the New Haven Register.

The rules are in line with the Department of Homeland Security's "Secure Communities" program where ICE can ask correction facilities to hold inmates for 48 hours until ICE can pick them up.

While the program was implemented in Fairfield County under former Gov. Jodi M. Rell, it will now expand to the rest of Connecticut beginning on April 16.

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Michael Lawlor, undersecretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning for Gov. Malloy's administration, told the Register that the ICE has sent "detainer" requests for fewer than 10 inmates in each of the last three weeks, which the corresponding facilities have honored.

The rules involve a long checklist that officers have to follow before proceeding with the request that include looking for active warrants, felony conviction and connections to gangs or terrorism.

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a poll commissioned by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in January, 66 percent of Connecticut residents believe


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