U.S. Department of Justice Sues Connecticut and New Haven Over Sanctuary Policies

Lawsuit challenges state's Trust Act and New Haven's Welcoming City order, claiming they violate federal law.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:34am

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color representing a gavel, scales of justice, and the Connecticut state capitol building, conveying the tension and conflict over sanctuary city policies.A fractured, avant-garde illustration captures the clash between state and federal authority over immigration enforcement policies.New Haven Today

The United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Connecticut, the city of New Haven, and several government leaders, challenging the state and city's sanctuary policies. The 83-page complaint claims that Connecticut's Trust Act and New Haven's Welcoming City order, which restrict local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, violate federal law.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of the federal government's ongoing efforts to crack down on so-called 'sanctuary' jurisdictions that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement. The outcome could have significant implications for how state and local governments balance public safety and immigration enforcement priorities.

The details

The lawsuit specifically targets Connecticut's Trust Act, which was recently strengthened in 2025 to further restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with immigration officers. It also takes aim at New Haven's Welcoming City executive order, signed by Mayor Justin Elicker in 2020, which prohibits city employees from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or disclosing a person's immigration status unless required by an arrest warrant.

  • The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit on Monday, April 15, 2026.
  • Connecticut's Trust Act was recently strengthened in 2025.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that filed the lawsuit challenging Connecticut and New Haven's sanctuary policies.

Connecticut

The state being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over its Trust Act.

New Haven

The city being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over its Welcoming City order.

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

William Tong

The Attorney General of Connecticut, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Justin Elicker

The Mayor of New Haven, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“For years, Connecticut communities have paid the price of these misguided sanctuary policies. This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law.”

— Brett Shumate, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Civil Division

“We get sued every few weeks by the federal government. We're not a sanctuary state; we get dangerous people off the streets. We have one of the safest states in the country. Please leave us alone. We know what we're doing.”

— Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut

“Immigrants who want to be productive members of our community are welcomed and embraced in New Haven.”

— Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven

“This is the sovereign state of Connecticut, and it is my honor to be its Attorney General. The sovereign people of Connecticut have exercised our right to pass state laws like the Trust Act that prioritize public safety and ensure that all people can trust and rely on law enforcement to keep us safe. It is a shame that the President and the Department of Justice are not focused on public safety but are wasting federal resources on attacking Connecticut with a baseless lawsuit that has no foundation in law or fact. Connecticut is not a 'sanctuary' state, whatever that means. This term is meaningless and has no basis in Connecticut law. We will defend Connecticut and Connecticut families and fight this lawless attack with every fiber of our being.”

— William Tong, Attorney General of Connecticut

What’s next

The lawsuit will now proceed through the court system, with Connecticut and New Haven expected to vigorously defend their sanctuary policies.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments that have enacted policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and the federal government's efforts to crack down on so-called 'sanctuary' jurisdictions. The outcome could set an important precedent for how states and cities balance public safety and immigration enforcement priorities.