MAYOR ELICKER ANNOUNCES CITY OF NEW HAVEN JOINS COALITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FILING AMICUS BRIEF TO BLOCK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S UNLAWFUL FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT[...]

Over 80 mayors, cities and counties warn about harm to public safety, communities and local law enforcement due to the Trump administration's unlawful deployment of ICE in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

[NEW HAVEN, CT] - Today, Mayor Elicker announced that the City of New Haven has joined more than 80 local governments and leaders across the country in challenging the Trump Administration's unlawful deployment of more than 3,000-armed federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The coalition filed an amicus brief in the State of Minnesota v. Kristi Noem, et al. this past Friday on the grounds that the deployment is unconstitutional.

"What is happening in Minneapolis and the violence that is being perpetrated by ICE against Minnesotans is sickening and represents a grave threat to individuals and cities across the country," said Mayor Justin Elicker. "ICE's illegal, immoral and inhumane actions and the federal government's unlawful deployment in Minnesota must end. New Haven stands with Minneapolis whose residents are standing up for all of us in fighting back against the Trump Administration's attacks on our values, citizens and immigrant neighbors."

The brief argues that the Trump administration is violating the constitution by coercing local governments to redirect resources to support its federal immigration agenda and by sending an unprecedented number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who are deploying unlawful tactics, to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The coalition is asking the court to block further unlawful actions taken by ICE and restore the status quo, citing the immense harm already done to the Twin Cities and its residents.

"Local governments shouldn't have to govern under threat," said Jill Habig, CEO of Public Rights Project. "Operation Metro Surge is a military occupation of an American city. Cities are standing together against this coercion campaign that spreads fear, diverts local resources and undermines public safety."

The brief documents how Operation Metro Surge and similar federal deployments have caused widespread harm across America:

Public safety impacts: ICE agents have shot and killed people and were filmed using forceful tactics, including using tear gas on children. The brief also outlines the mounting fear, tensions and violence in cities based on the federal government's actions.

Impacts on local law enforcement: When masked and armed ICE agents terrorize a city, victims may be afraid to call police, witnesses may be less willing to cooperate with prosecutors and local departments may need to spend more time and resources on de-escalation.

Community disruption: The presence of federal law enforcement prevents residents from going about their daily lives and damages the local economy. Schools have seen increased absences, and some families are avoiding hospitals and clinics out of fear.

"By deploying thousands of masked and armed federal agents, the Trump administration is attempting to transform local law enforcement nationwide into levers for its mass deportation agenda," the brief states. "This is not targeted immigration enforcement - it is a calculated campaign of chaos and coercion."

The brief was filed by Public Rights Project, the City of Boston and MSB Employment Justice LLP, on behalf of the City of New Haven and other coalition members. The full list of mayors, cities and counties that joined is included in the brief.

###

PRESS CONTACTS

• Lenny Speiller (City of New Haven) | (203) 725-4249; [email protected]

• Jackie Jena (Public Rights Project) | [email protected]