Hartford, CT Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Sanctuary City status
- Codified by ordinance
- Police inquiry limit
- Only if tied to a criminal probe
- ICE detainer policy
- No holds on administrative warrants
- Enacted
- Ord. No. 20-08, amended 2016
Summary
Hartford's municipal code codifies the city as a Sanctuary City: police cannot ask about immigration status except during a criminal investigation, and officers won't detain people solely on ICE administrative warrants.
(a)Hartford police officers shall not inquire about a person's immigration status unless such an inquiry is necessary to an investigation involving criminal activity as defined in section 2-926 above.(b)Hartford police shall not inquire about the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or others who call, approach or are interviewed the Hartford Police Department.(c)The Hartford Police will not arrest or detain a person based solely on their immigration status unless there is a criminal warrant.(d)Hartford police officers shall not make arrests or detain individuals based on administrative warrants for removal entered by ICE into the National Crime Information Center database.(e)The Hartford Police Department shall conduct necessary training and education to ensure that its officers are knowledgeable about provisions set forth in this article.(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any Hartford police officer from cooperating with federal immigration authorities as required by law. (Ord. No. 20-08, 8-11-08)
Full Breakdown
Article XXI of the Hartford Municipal Code makes the city officially a Sanctuary City. City departments serve all residents regardless of immigration status, and Hartford police officers may not inquire about a person's immigration status unless the inquiry is necessary to a criminal investigation. Police also cannot ask crime victims or witnesses about immigration status, cannot arrest or detain anyone solely because of immigration status absent a criminal warrant, and cannot hold people on ICE administrative removal warrants entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
Violations & Fines
The article restrains police conduct rather than penalizing residents; it sets no fine, but binds officers, who must document compliance and undergo required training under § 2-928(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hartford police ask about immigration status during a traffic stop?
Will Hartford police detain someone on an ICE administrative warrant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hartford
Compare Hartford to another location·View the Connecticut immigration policy overview
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