Trump DOJ Targets Connecticut's Sanctuary Laws in Constitutional Showdown

The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit Monday against Connecticut and New Haven, alleging that the state's "Trust Act" and the city's "Welcoming City Executive Order" violate the Supremacy Clause by interfering with federal immigration authority.[1][3] The complaint names Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, and both jurisdictions as defendants, accusing them of "open defiance of federal law."[1] Connecticut's Trust Act regulates how state and local law enforcement coordinate with federal immigration agents, while New Haven's 2020 executive order prohibits city employees from divulging residents' immigration status or aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts.[3] The DOJ alleges these policies have allowed dangerous criminals to evade deportation. The complaint cites Sanjay Sivan Walsh, a Jamaican national convicted of two counts of second-degree sexual assault in 2023 who was released on probation after 21 months; federal immigration authorities later arrested Walsh in August 2025 after Connecticut's Department of Correction refused to honor a federal immigration detainer.[3] According to the lawsuit, Connecticut has honored less than 20% of civil immigration detainers issued by the federal government since 2020—a stark figure that underpins the DOJ's argument about systemic obstruction.[3] Last year, lawmakers modified the Trust Act to expand situations allowing law enforcement to comply with federal detainers, adding crimes including sexual assault, child abuse, strangulation, and firearm burglary to exceptions where ICE cooperation is permitted.[3] Connecticut officials have mounted a vigorous defense. Gov. Lamont stated that the Trust Act "is consistent with the Constitution and reflect our responsibility to govern responsibly, protect public safety, and uphold the rights of all residents."[1] Attorney General Tong declared Connecticut a "sovereign state" with the right to pass the legislation, calling the lawsuit a "lawless attack."[3] Mayor Elicker contended the lawsuit "misrepresents" the city's policies and contains "untruths," arguing that city employees comply with federal, state, and local law.[3] The lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration offensive against sanctuary jurisdictions. The DOJ is simultaneously targeting Minnesota, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, New York State, Colorado, Illinois, Rochester, and several New Jersey cities over similar policies.[2] Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate declared, "This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law," framing sanctuary policies as threats to community safety rather than exercises in federalism.