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Attorney General William Tong, Governor Ned Lamont, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statements after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit targeting Connecticut’s Trust Act.

“This is the sovereign state of Connecticut, and it is my honor to be its Attorney General. The sovereign people of Connecticut have exercised our right to pass state laws like the Trust Act that prioritize public safety and ensure that all people can trust and rely on law enforcement to keep us safe.

“It is our policy and the law of the state of Connecticut to respect and honor immigrant workers and families, and we welcome their contributions to our state.It is a shame that the President and the Department of Justice are not focused on public safety but are wasting federal resources on attacking Connecticut with a baseless lawsuit that has no foundation in law or fact. Connecticut is not a "sanctuary" state, whatever that means.

“This term is meaningless and has no basis in Connecticut law. We will defend Connecticut and Connecticut families and fight this lawless attack with every fiber of our being,” said Attorney General Tong.

“We will defend Connecticut’s laws vigorously against the complaints outlined in the federal government’s lawsuit. Our Trust Act and related policies are consistent with the Constitution and reflect our responsibility to govern responsibly, protect public safety, and uphold the rights of all residents.

“Connecticut respects the rule of law and the constitutional roles of both federal and state governments. Connecticut law enforcement prioritizes serious criminal activity and works every day to keep our communities safe, while also respecting constitutional protections afforded to residents and maintaining trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“Our laws do not prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration law. Rather, they reflect a longstanding principle: the federal government cannot require states to use their personnel or resources to carry out federal enforcement responsibilities,” said Governor Ned Lamont.

“New Haven is proudly a welcoming city. Immigrants who want to be productive members of our community are welcomed and embraced in New Haven.

“Our Welcoming City policy is not only a legally sound policy that is compliant with all local, state and federal law, it’s also a practical policy that helps keep our residents and community safe. We’re committed to ensuring all New Haveners feel safe calling the police, seeking medical care, sending their kids to school, and accessing other critical public services. Conversely, if any individual commits a violent crime in New Haven, we’re committed to arresting them and bringing them to justice, regardless of their immigration status.

“Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the Trump Administration’s lawsuit contains inaccuracies and untruths about New Haven’s Welcoming City executive order. We are confident we are on the right side of the law – and, equally important, we are confident we are on the right side of history. We will continue to stand up to President Trump and we will continue to defend our residents, our city and our values,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

About the DOJ Lawsuit

On April 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against the State of Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont (in his official capacity), Attorney General William Tong (in his official capacity), the City of New Haven, and Mayor Justin Elicker (in his official capacity).

The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to block enforcement of Connecticut’s Trust Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-192h) and New Haven’s “Welcoming City” Executive Order.

Core Allegations Against the Trust Act

The DOJ argues that the Trust Act is not a neutral state policy, but rather a deliberate attempt to undermine federal immigration enforcement. According to the complaint:

“The end [purpose] of the Trust Act… is to intentionally obstruct federal law enforcement and thwart the constitutional obligation of the President of the United States to take care that the immigration laws enacted by Congress are enforced.”

The DOJ describes the Act as “a deliberate, disruptive action that jeopardizes the public safety of all Americans.” It claims the law:

• Unlawfully interferes with, regulates, and discriminates against federal immigration enforcement in violation of the Supremacy Clause.
• Serves “to hide criminals from law enforcement.”
• Forces the release of illegal alien offenders “back into the very communities they have already victimized.”

Key Statistics and Examples:

• Since 2020, less than 20% of civil immigration detainers issued by ICE have been honored in Connecticut.
• The complaint cites a specific case in which Connecticut Department of Correction officials ignored a detainer for an alien convicted of sexually assaulting two children. ICE had to arrest him in the community after his release from state prison.

Criticism of Attorney General Tong’s March 26, 2026 Policy Guidance

The DOJ highlights AG Tong’s Statement of Policy and Guidance Regarding Immigration Matters (March 26, 2026) as actively encouraging non-cooperation. The guidance:

• Instructs personnel that they are “generally not required” to disclose non-public information (including immigration status or release dates) unless presented with a judicial warrant.
• Downplays ICE detainers as mere “requests” with “no legal obligation” to detain.
• Advises that administrative subpoenas “generally do not require immediate responses” and can be challenged.

The DOJ argues these provisions “intentionally obstruct the sharing of information envisioned by Congress,” including basic details like release dates and custodial status. This impairs federal detention of removable aliens — including dangerous criminals — and contradicts Congress’s explicit choice to allow removals via civil (administrative) arrest warrants, not just judicial ones.

New Haven’s “Welcoming City” Executive Order

The lawsuit also targets Mayor Justin Elicker’s July 23, 2020, Executive Order, which:

• Prohibits city employees from inquiring about immigration status.
• Bars the use of city resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
• Forbids honoring ICE detainers or administrative warrants unless “required by law.”
• Threatens discipline for employees who violate the order.

The DOJ argues this order:

• Is expressly preempted by 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644 (which prohibit restrictions on communication with federal immigration authorities).
• Creates an “obstacle to the Federal Government’s enforcement of the immigration laws.”
• Unlawfully regulates and discriminates against federal immigration enforcement.

Legal Foundation

The complaint invokes the Supremacy Clause, federal preemption doctrine, and intergovernmental immunity. It emphasizes that immigration enforcement is a core federal responsibility and that states and localities cannot obstruct it through sanctuary-style restrictions.

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