North Haven Democrats Affirm Commitment to Civil Liberties and Community Safety

The North Haven Democratic Town Committee (DTC) adopted a resolution at their February membership meeting reaffirming its commitment to protecting civil liberties, due process, and the dignity of all people in the wake of troubling federal escalations of immigration enforcement operations.

The resolution responds to widely reported incidents and policy actions involving federal immigration enforcement both here in Connecticut and throughout other parts of the country.  It cites systematic abuse at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) agents under orders of higher federal authorities, including using children as bait, sexual abuse at detention centers as reported by ProPublica, denial of medical treatment of detainees, and the killing of citizens exercising their first amendment rights.

It calls on lawmakers both federally and at the state level to strengthen laws protecting civil liberties, hold government and federal officials who act unlawfully accountable, and end the large-scale operations in cities like Minneapolis.

Although there has been no confirmed I.C.E. activity in North Haven this year, there have been recent incidents of detainments of individuals in the neighboring towns of Wallingford, Hamden, and New Haven.

“I see first hand how folks are being taken in the community I work in,” DTC member and New Haven teacher Jenny Graves said,  “And our students are getting off the school bus to disappeared parents”. 

According to The Cato Institute, a conservative think tank, over 73% of those detained by I.C.E in 2025 had no criminal record and only 5% had previously been convicted of violent crimes. Deliberate disinformation and xenophobia is fueling the extreme methodology behind the nationwide arrests, according to DTC Chair Tim Gabriele

“Our role as a local party isn’t just to organize elections,” said Gabriele. “It is to stand with our neighbors who are scared right now, to defend the fundamental rights of everyone in our community, and to speak up when we see policies or actions that threaten the safety or dignity of ordinary people.”

Members emphasized that the purpose of the resolution is not to create fear locally, but to affirm shared values and ensure that residents know they have advocates.

“As neighbors and community members, we want people in North Haven to know that they are not alone,” said Brandi Mandato. “If policies or actions ever affect families here, we will listen, we will work with the community, and we will stand up for people’s rights.”

Local political organizations often play an important role in raising concerns, communicating with state and federal officials, and helping residents navigate complex or stressful situations.

The North Haven DTC regularly works with legislators, community organizations, and residents to ensure that laws are applied fairly and that Connecticut’s protections including the state’s TRUST Act are respected.

“History shows that protecting civil liberties often begins at the local level,” said Mandato. “Communities that stay informed and engaged are communities that are better prepared to weather challenges to their inalienable rights”

In its discussion prior to passing the resolution, DTC members emphasized their commitment to ongoing dialogue with residents of all backgrounds.  The resolution can be seen in full on the North Haven DTC website.