Federal Government Targets “Sanctuary” Cities, Stamford’s Status Unclear
Stamford has not officially declared as a “sanctuary city," but Mayor Simmons did not vote for the Trust Act in 2019.
STAMFORD — The City of Stamford and the State of the Connecticut face a looming Feb. 1 deadline to reconcile local immigration practices with the federal government or risk losing “significant” federal funding.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Jan. 13 the federal government will withhold payments to any jurisdiction that “supports sanctuary cities.” The administration has not clarified what funding could be withheld. Previous attempts by the administration to block funding to sanctuary cities were ruled against by a judge who said federal funds cannot be conditional on immigration policy.
Trump’s announcement comes months after the Department of Homeland Security published a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The list included Connecticut, but not Stamford specifically.
Sanctuary status is “a meaningless term”
Attorney General William Tong said Connecticut is not a sanctuary state.
“There is nothing in our laws or statues that says Connecticut is a ‘sanctuary’ state. We are not. That is a meaningless term,” said Tong in a statement from May 2025. “It is the policy of the State of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect immigrants and immigrant families in compliance with the law. Trump’s own administration certified Connecticut’s compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 in 2017.”
Connecticut’s primary friction with federal immigration policies is the “Trust Act.”
The Trust Act limits the ability of local law enforcement to honor “detainer” requests from federal agencies — such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — unless the individual has committed a Class A or B felony or if a judge has issued a warrant. The Trust Act was originally passed with bipartisan support in 2013. It was expanded in 2019 and 2025 by State Democrats.
None of the bills explicitly define Connecticut as a “sanctuary” state.
Connecticut’s Trust Act
According to people familiar with the Trust Act, the original bill in 2013 gave local police departments the discretion to work with — or not work with — federal agencies. The 2013 bill was passed with bipartisan support. The 2019 amendment compelled local police departments to not work with federal agencies — including ICE specifically. The 2019 amendment passed on party lines with the majority of Democrats voting in favor and no support from Republicans.
Critics of the Trust Act say it provides legal cover for known criminals. In Stamford, an illegal immigrant named Edgar Ismalej-Gomez plead guilty to several Class C and D felonies related to the abuse of 2-year-old Liam Rivera. Ismalej-Gomez was released after serving 60 days of a five-year prison sentence. He was later convicted of additional felonies after Rivera was killed and buried in Cummings Park.
“Even if [local police departments are] confident that the individual is convicted of a crime, they can’t cooperate or communicate with federal authorities,” said State Senator Ryan Fazio in an interview with Feather Ruffler.
Fazio explained without the Trust Act’s 2019 amendment, Ismalej-Gomez would have been transferred to federal authorities and potentially deported after his first prison sentence.
Supporters of the Trust Act say it is consistent with the U.S. Constitution’s fourth amendment protecting individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. While an individual can sue a local police department for violating their constitutional rights, it is significantly more difficult for an individual to sue a federal agency — such as ICE — due to legal concepts like qualified immunity. The 2019 amendment to the Trust Act added the ability for individuals to take legal recourse for unlawful detainments motivated by coordination with federal agencies.
Is Stamford a sanctuary city?
In response to the federal government classifying states and cities as “sanctuary” jurisdictions, some political leaders have leaned into the definition — including Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
Feather Ruffler found no evidence Stamford has ever declared or denied a “sanctuary” status.
Mayor Caroline Simmons was a State Representative in 2019 when the Trust Act was expanded. However, she was absent the day of the vote.
Simmons attended an event in Latham Park on Sunday, Jan. 11 organized by Indivisible Stamford in response to the killing of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
“Say enough is enough,” Simmons said at the event, according to reporting from the Greenwich Free Press. “We refuse to be silent as ICE comes into our communities.”
Simmons did not respond to requests for comment regarding Stamford’s sanctuary status or to clarify her absence during the 2019 Trust Act vote.
Whether or not Stamford and Connecticut are “sanctuary” jurisdictions, critics of the Trust Act believe the public opposes “sanctuary” status.
“I don’t think Connecticut should be a sanctuary for people who are here illegally and have committed crimes,” said Fazio. “I think the vast majority of Connecticut residents would support ending the sanctuary policies — especially for criminals — ensuring there is rule of law in the state of Connecticut.”