Connecticut Senate Bill SB00993

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/19
• Refer: 3/1/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Local And State Cooperation In The Enforcement Of Federal Immigration Law.

Impact

The proposed legislation is designed to clarify the responsibilities of local law enforcement when receiving civil immigration detainers. Specifically, it obligates officers to detain individuals named in such detainers unless there is a specific determination regarding their criminal background or risk to public safety. This measure is expected to create a more uniform response to federal immigration requests across different municipalities, potentially reducing the discretion local law enforcement currently exercises under existing laws.

Summary

SB00993, titled 'An Act Concerning Local And State Cooperation In The Enforcement Of Federal Immigration Law,' seeks to enforce cooperation between local and state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. The bill mandates that law enforcement officers detain individuals based on civil immigration detainers, thus ensuring alignment with federal immigration laws. This initiative reflects a growing trend among state legislatures to address immigration control, amid debates over the role of local jurisdictions in immigration enforcement.

Contention

The introduction of SB00993 has sparked significant debate among legislators and advocacy groups. Proponents argue that the bill strengthens state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, thereby enhancing public safety. However, critics raise concerns that the bill may lead to racial profiling and unjust detentions, undermining community trust in law enforcement. Additionally, opponents argue that it could place undue burdens on local police departments, which may already be stretched thin and could divert resources away from other critical community services.