DOJ sues state over new law limiting ICE authority

CT Examiner – Monday, May 18, 2026
By Daniel Tepfer

After successfully challenging what it described as “anti-law enforcement policies” in California, the U.S. Department of Justice is now targeting a new Connecticut law intended to limit ICE authority.

Earlier this month, Gov. Ned Lamont signed the “Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability” into law after its passage by Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate.

The law bars federal, state and local law enforcement officers or agents from wearing facial coverings or disguises while interacting with the public, requires visible identification, limits civil immigration arrests in places like schools and hospitals, and allows federal agents to be sued in state court for alleged constitutional violations. It also expands the authority of Connecticut’s inspector general to investigate federal law enforcement use-of-force incidents in the state.

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties,” Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday after filing a lawsuit against the state, Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Eliot Prescott. “Connecticut’s anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand.”

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Haven, asks a judge to invalidate the law as it applies to federal agencies and officers and to permanently block the state from enforcing it. The suit also takes exception to the provisions regarding the power of the inspector general over federal law enforcement, as well as the requirement for identification and prohibition of masks for law enforcement.

“The Connecticut Act seeks to regulate the actions of federal law enforcement officers within Connecticut by subjecting those officers to criminal penalties for following the federal laws and policies that govern their federal duties and actions,” the lawsuit reads. “… Such laws also undermine the principles of federalism that underlie our entire constitutional order, by seeking to prevent effective federal law enforcement within Connecticut.”

In comments provided after publication, State Sen. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said he opposed the new law.

“This is yet another anti-cop law passed by Connecticut Democrats and signed by Gov. Lamont. As Republicans and I have repeatedly noted, it’s also unconstitutional and will be struck down,” Harding said.

Last month, a federal appeals court struck down California’s requirement that masked federal agents identify themselves. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled California can’t enforce a section of its 2025 law that mandates federal law enforcement officers visibly display identification while carrying out their duties. This came after a federal judge in February issued an injunction against a California law prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks.

Both rulings were the result of DOJ lawsuits.

“The state’s actions are both fully lawful and necessary to protect public safety and we will vigorously defend the law,” Tong told CT Examiner.

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