Dozens detained in multi-day ICE sweep in Danbury, families separated
Sep 23, 2026·Location: Danbury, CT
Country of origin: Ecuador

A multi-day ICE enforcement operation across Danbury, Connecticut and surrounding areas resulted in estimates ranging from 70 to 118 arrests, including more than 50 in Danbury and over 40 separated families, with some detainees sent to facilities as far as Colorado. Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves said one detained man had lived in the U.S. for 30 years with work authorization and was pursuing a green card, while Kim Rivas said her fiance, who had no criminal record, was also detained. Video showed agents tasing a man near an auto shop, forcing Johnny Queda into a store window, and detaining people at traffic stops, apartments, parks, and near a school and daycare. DHS said the tased man resisted arrest and carried a knife and counterfeit ID, and separately arrested 28-year-old Ecuadorian national Leonel Geovanny Morocho-Arteaga during a vehicle stop, disputing advocates' claims that a parent was taken into custody right after a child boarded a school bus. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal estimated fewer than 10% of those detained had pending criminal charges, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy sent a letter demanding details from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and proposed legislation barring enforcement near schools, child care facilities, and playgrounds. Gov. Ned Lamont said 'this has to stop,' school attendance dropped by about 700 students, and local group Danbury Unites for Immigrants organized rallies and know-your-rights outreach as protesters clashed with agents who used pepper spray at least once.
Timeline
Sources
- ICE enforcement grinds down economy, stokes fear among some in parts of Connecticut
- At least 70 detained by ICE in Danbury since last week, groups say
WFSB·Aug 31, 2026·archived copy
- ‘Things are very tense': Days of reported increased immigration enforcement in Danbury
nbcconnecticut.com·Aug 31, 2026·archived copy
- Hundreds detained by ICE across CT last week, Blumenthal estimates
ctpublic.org·Aug 31, 2026
- Client Challenge
- Spike in ICE arrests sparks protests in Danbury as school year begins
WFSB·Aug 29, 2026
- Murphy seeks answers from DHS on ICE operations, arrests in CT
ctpublic.org·Sep 23, 2026
More incidents in Connecticut
- Man Arrested by ICE at Meriden courthouseOct 1, 2026 · Meriden, CT
- SCSU basketball player detained by ICE at airport, released after two weeksSep 28, 2026 · New Haven, CT
- Two activists hurt as ICE clash erupts outside Meriden courthouseSep 23, 2026 · Meriden, CT
- Ecuadorian woman arrested by ICE at Tweed Airport despite no criminal recordSep 11, 2026 · New Haven, CT
- ICE detains about 100 people in days-long Danbury-area operationAug 31, 2026 · Danbury, CT
- Man hospitalized after ICE agent tases him during Danbury arrestAug 28, 2026 · Danbury, CT