August 5, 2025
Connecticut Attorney General Tong Condemns DHS‘s Repeated Mislabeling as “Sanctuary” Jurisdiction
Hartford, CT – Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today sharply criticized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for once again including Connecticut on a list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions, a designation he firmly rejects as inaccurate and politically motivated. This marks the second instance under the Trump Management where Connecticut has been falsely labeled, mirroring a similar situation in May of this year.
“The claim that Connecticut is a ‘sanctuary’ state is demonstrably false and lacks any legal basis,” stated Attorney general Tong. “This terminology is deliberately misleading, and the criteria used to compile this list are entirely fabricated. Our state’s policies prioritize respect for all residents, including immigrants and their families, while remaining fully compliant with federal law.”
Tong highlighted that the Trump Administration itself certified Connecticut’s adherence to 8 U.S.C.§ 1373 in 2017, a federal law concerning information sharing with immigration authorities. He emphasized that no changes have occurred to invalidate that certification, dismissing the current listing as stemming from a “fixation on defunding and commandeering our police.”
The attorney General reaffirmed Connecticut’s commitment to public safety and its willingness to defend state funding against any attempts at federal interference. “We successfully challenged the Trump Administration’s previous efforts to defund our law enforcement, and we are fully prepared to do so again,” Tong asserted.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
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