Blumenthal Blasts Trump Immigration Crackdown as Inhumane
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized Trump administration ICE operations in Connecticut as repugnant, claiming only six or seven of approximately 100 detainees had criminal records.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut made the remarks during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, where he criticized ICE arrests that took place across multiple Connecticut cities despite what he characterized as assurances from President Trump to governors.
Host Margaret Brennan questioned the senator about ICE operations in Danbury, Bridgeport, and Stamford, noting that ICE arrests have increased significantly nationwide in June and July. She referenced Connecticut’s governor stating that ICE detained dozens of people without informing local authorities in advance, despite President Trump allegedly telling governors he would not send ICE into cities that did not request assistance.
Few Detainees Had Criminal Records, Senator Claims
Blumenthal stated that approximately 100 individuals were detained and arrested during the operations. He pushed back against administration claims about targeting dangerous criminals, asserting that only a fraction of those detained—perhaps six or seven people—had any kind of criminal history.
The senator challenged the administration’s stated policy of detaining the worst offenders, saying the facts on the ground tell a different story. He claimed many of those seized have legal status in the United States, potentially including asylum seekers.
Democratic Senator Plans Community Events
Blumenthal announced plans to walk through Danbury with the mayor and expressed hope for holding a forum through the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which he said has been conducting spotlight forums on what he termed ICE abuses. He indicated such an event could take place in Danbury or elsewhere in Connecticut later in the week.
The Connecticut Democrat accused the administration of deliberately spreading terror and sowing fear in communities in what he characterized as a destructive manner, suggesting that cruelty was the point of the enforcement actions.
ICE has not provided information to the senator’s office regarding the operations, as reported by Breitbart News.
With information from Breitbart News
