The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!
The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!

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Connecticut city opens police force to noncitizens after ICE raids

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BS BULLETIN:

  • Danbury, Connecticut, voted 18–2 to allow lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply to become city police officers.
  • The change came amid a fierce local backlash to recent ICE operations, with one Democratic councilman saying the vote “sends a message” that immigrants are welcome.
  • City officials insist hiring standards aren’t being lowered: applicants must still pass the same background checks, psychological screening, training and other requirements.

In Danbury, Connecticut, you no longer have to be an American citizen to become one of the people enforcing the law.

The Danbury City Council voted 18–2 Tuesday night to change the city’s ordinance and allow lawful permanent residents and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — better known as DACA or “Dreamers” — to apply to become police officers.

All 17 Democrats on the council and one Republican supported the change, while two Republicans voted against it, according to Fox News.

The timing made the vote particularly striking.

It came after a series of immigration enforcement operations in the area sparked protests and condemnation from Democratic officials. Councilman Joe Britton acknowledged that the proposal landed amid what he called a federal immigration “invasion” of Danbury and argued that approving it would send a message to the city’s immigrant population.

“There is no reason to vote against this, and if you do vote against this, I truly question your moral compass,” Britton said before the vote, according to Fox News.

Britton stressed that the newly eligible applicants are lawfully present in the United States and said they will have to meet the same standards as other applicants.

Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour made the same point, telling council members that the change does not lower the department’s hiring standards.

Applicants must still undergo the existing screening process, which includes background checks, psychological and medical examinations, drug screening, training and other requirements. Ridenhour said the change instead brings Danbury’s eligibility rules into line with Connecticut’s Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

Connecticut had already expanded police eligibility beyond U.S. citizens. State standards were changed to accommodate lawful permanent residents and later DACA recipients, and more than 30 police agencies in the state already permit such candidates to apply, according to local officials.

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, a Democrat who came to the United States as an undocumented child and later became a citizen, applauded the decision.

“These are people who can serve in the United States military, serve as firefighters and EMTs, become doctors, lawyers and other trusted professionals, yet under our old ordinance they could not even apply to become a Danbury police officer,” Alves said.

But the DACA provision generated particular concern from opponents.

Councilwoman Candace Fay unsuccessfully sought separate votes on lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients. Her concern was that DACA status is temporary and could be lost, potentially leaving taxpayers having paid to train an officer who subsequently becomes ineligible to remain in the country.

Official Danbury meeting records show council members discussed federal firearms restrictions affecting DACA recipients. Police Chief Ridenhour confirmed that a DACA officer would be permitted to carry a handgun while on duty but would face restrictions on carrying one off duty.

Supporters say the change is about expanding the pool of qualified police recruits without lowering standards.

Opponents see a rather remarkable question being raised in an American city: Should someone who isn’t a U.S. citizen be given a badge and gun and entrusted with enforcing American law?

Danbury’s answer is now yes.

MY QUICK TAKE

Only in 2026 could we reach the point where “Are you an American citizen?” is apparently too restrictive a question for someone applying to enforce American laws.

And the timing is something else: ICE rolls into town, Democrats are furious — and days later the city is celebrating a vote allowing noncitizens to become cops.

We have officially entered the part of the movie where you stop asking the screenwriter to make it believable.

DBS WIRE SOURCES

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