Connecticut's Immigration Bill: State vs Federal Power

0:00Connecticut Senate was set to pass a big immigration accountability bill Tuesday night. It sets up protected zones like schools, hospitals, and churches where federal agents can arrest folks, just for civil immigration issues. The measure also lets residents sous feds for rights violations, gives the state inspector general power to probe deadly force cases, and cracks down, on sharing license plate reader data. This builds on a November law that limited federal moves at courthouses and data sharing by state agencies. New additions ban officers from wearing masks on duty, bar hiring x feds with misconduct records, and demand 480 hours of training for new state cops. It all stems from worries over federal overreach in the state. Democrats are fired up, calling it a shield for families fearing raids during school drop-offs or doctor visits. Leaders like Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff say it's about federalism pushing back on authoritarian vibes from DC. Immigrant advocates, teachers, and faith groups backed at hard and hearings,

1:03sharing stories of daily terror. Republicans push back strong, arguing the bill can't touch ice under the supremacy clause. Federal law trumps state rules. Minority Leader Stephen Harding calls it superfluous, and an anti-cop burden on local forces. They say it ignores crime victims and mass protect agents in a hostile climate. Meanwhile, the feds already sued Connecticut over a similar trust act, but Dems bet on the 10th Amendment for cover. As the vote loomed, this showdown spotlights the raw class between state rights and national enforcement, leaving Connecticut's future moves wide. Open. Stay informed with Hartford News Today, AI-powered updates. I'm Cory with The Story.