Persist, UnMask Ice
CT state representatives may try torely on amendments to the Trust Act 2025 rather than writing new and important legislation. This is a response to Senator Rahman to educate & urge action.
CT state representatives may try and rely on amendments passed to the Trust Act in the 2025 legislative session as a response to our request for legislative action to codify protections against unidentified and unmasked ICE agents from operating in CT. Getting our legislators to respond will require a loud and persistent call for them to act. This letter to Senator MD Rahmad is the firs step for his constituents which will be followed by calls and emails by members to his office urging him to act. Indivisible groups are welcome to use and modify the script for their elected officials. * Update: Since the letter was sent, CA has added language to Bill CA -SB 627 - The No Secret Police Act that requires identification and unmasking.
July 18, 2025
Dear Senator MD Rahman and Matt,
Thank you for responding to my recent request to take legislative action to protect the public and CT’s law enforcement by codifying protections against unidentified and unmasked ICE agents from operating in CT. I write this note not just as a constituent, but as a leader of CT River Huddle Indivisible whose members live in the Senator’s districts. Our members are very concerned about the degradation of our democracy and the daily attack on our constitutional rights. We strongly feel that it is time we took action in our state legislature to require ICE agents to identify themselves. Although the amendments to the Trust Act were appreciated, they fell far short of protecting us from masked and unidentified ICE agents.
Motivation in each district may vary to draft and pass new legislation, but at the root of the argument is that unidentified masked militias are un-American and dangerous. We are not without agency and we CAN and MUST do something to stop this autocratic administration from directing a $150 billion dollar funded secret police in CT.
Just last night, I read the news that ICE seized an Afghan immigrant in East Hartford, CT — a father of five and former interpreter for the U.S. military.[1] These are not hypothetical threats, they are happening now in CT and rapidly getting worse. We urge you to lead with urgency and principle, and help deliver a legislative response grounded in justice, transparency, and accountability.
Two other states that are taking action and the associated bills:
MA Bill - An Act ensuring law enforcement identification and public trust Link to Bill
CA -SB 627 - The No Secret Police Act. Link to Bill
Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley) introduced SB 627, the No Secret Police Act. Press Release:
This bill recognizes that our laws must protect citizens and law enforcement. “ This notice shall be given sufficiently in advance to prevent danger to law enforcement officers based on mistaken identities and shall include when and where they will be operating, their planned actions, and the approximate time and duration of the action.”
Many of our Republican friends and colleagues are passionate about protecting our law enforcement officials, as are we. However, the CA bill is not strong enough and is lacking in following areas:
· Enforcement officers must wear visible identification and ban face coverings during public operations.
· The state must increase oversight and data transparency around federal immigration activity in the state.
· Prohibit local agencies from sharing data with ICE or cooperating in politically motivated raids.
In your response, you referenced the CT Trust Act. However, the CT State Trust Act also does not address the following:
· Introduce or support legislation that requires enforcement officers to wear visible identification and bans face coverings during public operations. We have laws on the books that even bounty hunters are required to show ID.
· Increase oversight and data transparency around federal immigration activity in the state. CT law enforcement is at risk as they are not informed of actions beforehand and do not know what agency is directing activities or even who is behind a mask.
· Strengthen laws, including prohibiting local agencies from sharing data with ICE or cooperating in politically motivated raids.
We will have support from the Attorney General’s Office. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has been outspoken criticizing ICE's practice.
“There’s no question that there is a need for plainclothes officers in certain law enforcement scenarios, but this is not that. These authoritarian thugs in masks and unmarked vans are causing dangerous panic and confusion, and the possibility of a misunderstanding puts both officers and civilians at needless risk," Tong said in a statement. "There is zero need for these hyper-aggressive tactics when we’re talking about unarmed mothers taking their children to school, college students walking to class, or people just trying to do the right thing by showing up to court hearings and immigration check-ins. [2]
Interestingly, CT has a law on the books that Bounty Hunters are required to show ID. Bounty hunters in CT need to have a State Police Special Licensing & Firearms Unit identification card visibly above the waist when attempting to apprehend a principal on a bond and are required to wear a jacket, shirt, or vest with the words "Bail Enforcement Agents" in full, displayed in 2-inch yellow reflective letters on the front and back. ICE agents and deputies should be held to the same standard at minimum. [3]
If it is possible, I would appreciate an appointment to discuss this important issue. You would be most welcome to attend one of our weekly leadership meetings on Tuesdays at 11:30-12:30 pm in Glastonbury or at another time of convenience. As I am sure you can appreciate, time is of the essence.
Sincerely,
Lisa Lucarelli Chandler, CT River Huddle Team Lead
[1] https://ctmirror.org/2025/07/18/afghan-interpreter-seized-by-ice/
[2] https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/ice-agents-ct-masks-confusion-new-haven-danbury-20395223.php
[3] https://portal.ct.gov/despp/knowledge-base/articles/frequently-asked-questions/slfu/bail-enforcement-agents?language=en_US