Connecticut Places Limits on ICE Agents in Courthouses

 Posted on September 22, 2025 in Criminal Defense

As part of the crackdown on illegal immigration that the administration of President Donald Trump has been executing since he took office for his second term, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been conducting raids throughout the country. In many cases, armed ICE agents have stormed people’s workplaces or taken people off streets, placing them in detention while questioning their immigration status and taking steps to deport people who are undocumented.

These practices have drawn a great deal of criticism, and certain states have taken action to limit what ICE agents are allowed to do. Connecticut is one of those states, and a recent rule was put in place to address the activities of ICE agents in the state’s courthouses. Democratic lawmakers and other critics of ICE hope that this will provide people in the state with some protections and limit disruptions from immigration raids.

While this rule and other legal protections may help prevent some people from being detained by ICE, there are still many issues that could lead certain immigrants to be deported or affect their immigration status. Convictions for certain types of crimes will make immigrants deportable. Those who are facing criminal charges will need to be sure to work with an attorney who understands how criminal law intersects with immigration law. By taking steps to defend against a conviction, a person may be able to avoid deportation or other related issues.

New Rules Address Masks and Warrantless Arrests

Many of the criticisms against ICE involve the ways raids are being conducted. ICE agents have been detaining large numbers of people, and the ways they do so are striking fear into the general public. In many cases, ICE agents wear masks to hide their identities, and they may not wear badges or any other indications that they are government agents. 

Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, has said that masks are necessary to prevent people from identifying agents and sharing their personal details online. Democratic lawmakers and other critics have countered these claims by arguing that masks are used to shield agents from accountability while engaging in actions designed to increase fear and chaos. Without being able to identify agents and verify that they are acting on behalf of the government, it is difficult to distinguish between an immigration raid and a violent kidnapping.

As concerns about ICE raids have continued to rise, the U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a ruling that served as an endorsement of ICE’s actions. In this ruling, the court stated that ICE agents are allowed to target people for raids or detention based on factors like their race, the language they are speaking, and the types of work they are performing. This is a blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects everyone against unreasonable searches and seizures, regardless of what they look like, what language they are speaking, or their legal status.

As ICE receives protection from the federal government for actions that violate the Constitution, it has been left up to the states to put laws and policies in place to limit what ICE agents are allowed to do. The new policy in Connecticut, which was put in place by Chief Justice Raheem Mullins of the state’s Supreme Court, prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks in state courthouses. It also prevents ICE agents from making arrests in courthouses without warrants. This is meant to protect people who are coming to courthouses, including criminal defendants, people who are serving as witnesses in criminal cases, and those who are handling civil matters.

Contact Our Hartford Criminal Defense Lawyers

While laws and policies in Connecticut may provide some protections, immigrants may need to take additional steps to limit the possibility of deportation. For those who are facing criminal charges, it is important to defend against convictions that could affect their immigration status. At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys can provide the legal representation needed in these cases, and we can help immigrants determine the best ways to protect themselves. Contact us at 860-290-8690 to set up a free consultation.