Politics
Trump administration officials dispute Democratic senator's claims over Connecticut ICE arrests
Border official Tom Homan and DHS rejected assertions by Sen. Chris Murphy that immigration agents targeted parents at school bus stops.
The short version
- Sen. Chris Murphy accused ICE of targeting parents at school bus stops in Danbury, Connecticut, claiming agents were aiming to intimidate children.
- White House border czar Tom Homan and DHS denied the claims, stating officers enforce congressional laws and conduct targeted enforcement.
- Local officials and advocacy groups reported about 50 recent detentions in Danbury, including incidents near schools and daycares.
- The dispute follows the Trump administration's January 2025 rescission of Biden-era policy restricting ICE enforcement near sensitive locations like schools.
Key facts
- Sen. Chris Murphy claimed on social media that ICE targeted parents at school bus stops in Danbury, Connecticut.[Fox News]
- White House border official Tom Homan rejected Murphy's characterization on CNN, stating ICE enforces laws enacted by Congress and does not intend to terrorize children.[Fox News]
- A DHS spokesperson called allegations that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop false, stating an arrested individual, Leonel Geovanny Morocho-Arteaga, was taken into custody during a targeted vehicle stop.[Fox News]
- Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves reported that nearly 50 community members were detained during recent operations, citing ICE activity near schools and daycares.[Fox News]
- The Department of Homeland Security rescinded Biden-era sensitive-locations policies in January 2025, restoring enforcement discretion near schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- DHS did not provide details or confirm the total number of individuals detained during the week's enforcement operations in Danbury described by local advocates and officials.[Fox News]