While there is a lot of talk in Danbury about the problems associated with illegal immigration, there are those who believe it's really not a problem at all.
"That may be one of the reason we are a magnet for national attention these types of population issues exits in border states, Texas, California, as an example. Perhaps because we are a northeastern state that is receives national attention."
Danbury is exploding with immigrants both legal and illegal. Mostly from South America.
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton says there are so many illegal immigrants it's straining city resources including the health care system, schools, and housing. So much so the mayor says "we want to be reimbursed for the cost of housing so many people here who are not legal."
The mayor did not attend Thursday's conference at Western Connecticut State University, but he was very much a subject of discussion. It's the mayor's very public push for relief, says the executive director of the Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury, which is the problem, not the immigrants.
"I use the expression opening a Pandora's Box," says Maria-Cinta Lowe. "He gave a reason for people to complain, spread their opinions, maybe they never said anything before."
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
