Hamden’s “Welcoming City” Commitment in Question After ICE Raid Leads to Eight Detentions

Hamden, CT — Just months after the Hamden Legislative Council passed its “Welcoming City” ordinance in April 2025—promising to safeguard immigrant communities—the city now faces intense public outcry following an ICE raid that resulted in the detention of eight residents, several of whom are parents of school-aged children.

According to reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notified the Hamden Police Department in a so-called “courtesy call” before carrying out the raid. Despite receiving this information, the department failed to alert the public or take steps to protect community members. As a result, eight individuals were detained without warning or local support.

In the aftermath, the community has united in protest. Clergy, elected officials, union members, and immigrant rights advocates gathered to denounce the police department’s silence and express solidarity with the affected families.

“Once again, while we are pleased by the solidarity shown by Hamden’s municipal administration, we must focus on the eight victims of the raid who are now facing possible deportation,” said John Lugo, organizer with Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA). “For justice, we call on the City of Hamden to provide financial support to cover legal expenses—including bail—and to stand with the families now suffering not only from trauma but also from the sudden loss of income.”

Community leaders and immigrant rights organizations are demanding:

• Full transparency regarding the Hamden Police Department’s communication with ICE;

• Financial and legal assistance from the City to support detained residents and their families;

• Strict enforcement of the “Welcoming City” ordinance to prevent similar failures in the future.

Hamden’s immigrant community is vital to the city’s social, cultural, and economic fabric. Being a “Welcoming City” must mean real protection—not passive compliance.