An Act Concerning Federal Immigration Authorities And Individuals Subject To Civil Immigration Detainers.
Summary
HB 6665 would amend Connecticut General Statutes section 54-192h to expand when local law enforcement may cooperate with federal immigration authorities in relation to people held in custody. The bill would expressly allow federal immigration officials to communicate with a local law enforcement agency and interview an individual in that agency’s custody.
The bill would also restore a set of circumstances under which an officer would be required to keep custody of a person subject to a civil immigration detainer. Those circumstances include a felony conviction, pending criminal charges with no bond posted, an outstanding arrest warrant, identification as a known gang member or security risk group member, a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening Database, a final deportation or removal order, or a determination that the person presents an unacceptable risk to public safety. The stated purpose is to protect the public by allowing law enforcement officers to work with federal immigration officials.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would narrow the limits currently placed on local law enforcement’s interaction with federal immigration authorities by authorizing interviews of detainees and reinstating broader detention criteria tied to immigration detainers. It would affect section 54-192h of the general statutes and could change how police departments, correctional authorities, and other local agencies respond to civil immigration detainers and requests from federal immigration officials, especially in cases involving criminal history, warrants, gang affiliation, terrorism screening, or public-safety concerns.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated intent and framing suggest support from lawmakers who favor closer cooperation between state and local police and federal immigration enforcement. The proposal is presented as a public-safety measure, emphasizing the ability of law enforcement to work with federal authorities and to hold certain individuals who may pose a risk. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented recorded debate or vote outcome in the materials supplied.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between public safety and immigration enforcement on one hand, and limits on local involvement in federal immigration matters on the other. Supporters would likely focus on detaining individuals with serious criminal histories, warrants, gang ties, or terrorism-related concerns, while opponents may argue that the bill expands immigration enforcement beyond local priorities and could lead to broader detention of individuals based on civil immigration detainers. The inclusion of a broad public-safety standard may also be debated because it gives officers discretion beyond the enumerated categories.