Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
ICE agents arrested a man inside a Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse while activists demanded to know why masked agents were violating the TRUST Act. State officials called it improper; ICE called the arrest appropriate and said marshals impeded it.
Claim in dispute
ICE's actions at the Meriden courthouse were a deliberate provocation that caused serious injury and needless chaos for the state's court system, and the state will use its authority to enforce the TRUST Act against federal challenges.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
This case classifies public responses to a specific question: did ICE's conduct at the Meriden courthouse on September 23, 2026, including its use of face coverings, the courthouse arrest itself, and how the operation and judicial marshals' cooperation with it were carried out, comply with Connecticut's TRUST Act? It does not classify the broader constitutionality fight over the TRUST Act, ICE's national enforcement priorities, or Almara-Diaz's underlying removal case.
The public accounts agree on the basic sequence. The Connecticut Mirror (opens in a new tab) reported that ICE agents entered the Meriden courthouse around midday on September 23 and took a man into custody, that activists gathered outside demanding to know why the agents were violating the TRUST Act, and that judicial marshals moved activists away from the entrance. Nancy Burton, a rapid response team member, said she was pepper-sprayed by an agent who was leaving the courthouse: "He wanted to use his pepper spray, he didn't have to." Another team member, Madeline Gallagher, fell and was taken to a hospital by ambulance; the Connecticut Mirror reported she was pushed back by a courthouse security staffer, while Hands Off Connecticut's statement, reported by the Hartford Courant, said a marshal was responsible. The Connecticut Judicial Branch confirmed the arrest the same evening and said Judicial Marshal Services had received a "Warrant of Removal/Deportation" before it, according to Patch (opens in a new tab).
ICE said in a statement reported by WSHU (opens in a new tab) that courthouse arrests are common sense because officers already know where a target will be, and that the practice is safer for officers and the community. A fuller version of the statement, reported by Connecticut Centinal (opens in a new tab), identified the man arrested as Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, cited two prior driving-under-the-influence counts and a 2023 final removal order, and said several judicial marshals impeded the arrest. We attribute the marshal-impede claim to ICE's own account; it is not independently confirmed.
The Judicial Branch's review reached a different conclusion. The Hartford Courant reported (opens in a new tab) that a branch spokeswoman said, "Based on our review of videos and interviews conducted to date, we do not believe that our marshals impeded the work of federal officials." Whether the agents had approval to wear face coverings inside the courthouse was not resolved in the reporting we reviewed; NBC Connecticut reported (opens in a new tab) that some but not all of the agents wore masks and that a Judicial Branch spokesperson did not answer when asked whether ICE had approval to do so. Sources also disagree on whether the TRUST Act's mask ban itself was already in force on September 23: the Connecticut Mirror described it as a standing rule, while the Hartford Courant (opens in a new tab) and NBC Connecticut both described a state law banning ICE from wearing masks as "scheduled to take effect" or beginning October 1, 2026, after this arrest.
Miguel Castro, an immigrant-rights advocate who recorded the confrontation, wrote on Facebook, in an excerpt reported by Patch (opens in a new tab), that the man arrested had been targeted through racial profiling over what Castro described as a motor-vehicle violation. In a separate interview with WFSB, Castro said the man had been in court for a DUI arrest. We were not able to independently confirm which characterization of the underlying stop is accurate.
State officials criticized ICE's conduct. Attorney General William Tong called it "ICE's deliberate provocation" that "resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system." Governor Ned Lamont's office said ICE's presence "can endanger people seeking justice" and noted that, beginning October 1, 2026, a new TRUST Act provision requires ICE to show a judicial warrant to enter certain protected spaces. House Speaker Matt Ritter and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney also criticized the operation, with Looney saying federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and ATF do not wear masks. These statements are reported in the Hartford Courant (opens in a new tab).
The available record does not publicly resolve whether ICE had judicial approval to wear face coverings inside the courthouse, whether the underlying stop of Almara-Diaz involved a DUI arrest or a lesser motor-vehicle violation, or whether marshals impeded the arrest itself. Video, the Judicial Branch's completed review and any court filings could clarify these questions.
People in this case
William TongCommented
Timeline
8 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 23, 2026 to September 29, 2026
September 2026
8 events
ICE agents arrest Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz inside the Meriden courthouse
Incident
ICE agents, several wearing face coverings, arrested Almara-Diaz inside Meriden Superior Court around midday. Judicial marshals moved activists away from the courthouse entrance; one woman was pepper-sprayed and another fell and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
[01]Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouse
Source excerpt
He wanted to use his pepper spray, he didn’t have to.
On-scene original reporting from the Connecticut Mirror covering the September 23, 2026 arrest and confrontation at the Meriden courthouse. This is the case's primary source.
Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouseFull article, including the Burton, Gallagher, Ment and Ritter quotes[02]Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrest
Source excerpt
You would have to get details on any arrests made by ICE from that agency
Reports the Meriden mayor's office statement that it was not notified of the operation, and Miguel Castro's on-record account of the confrontation.
Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's office[03]Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: Officials
Source excerpt
The initial reports and videos from Meriden today are concerning, and state police are investigating what occurred.
Reports that some ICE agents wore masks and some did not, quotes Governor Lamont's communications office, and reports the Meriden mayor's office was not notified.
Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: OfficialsParagraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's officeConnecticut Judicial Branch confirms the arrest and says it is reviewing the incident
Reaction
The Judicial Branch said Judicial Marshal Services had received a Warrant of Removal/Deportation before the arrest and that it was examining video of the incident to ensure state law was followed.
[01]Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouse
Source excerpt
He wanted to use his pepper spray, he didn’t have to.
On-scene original reporting from the Connecticut Mirror covering the September 23, 2026 arrest and confrontation at the Meriden courthouse. This is the case's primary source.
Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouseFull article, including the Burton, Gallagher, Ment and Ritter quotes[04]Man Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: Reports
Source excerpt
The incident began after an individual with a DMV violation was allegedly targeted through racial profiling
Reports Miguel Castro's Facebook post describing the arrest as racial profiling, and reproduces the Connecticut Judicial Branch's full statement to WFSB.
Man Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: ReportsParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro's Facebook post and the Judicial Branch's statement to WFSBGovernor Lamont's office calls the reports concerning and cites a state police investigation
Reaction
Governor Ned Lamont's communications office said the initial reports and videos from Meriden were concerning and that state police were investigating what occurred.
[03]Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: Officials
Source excerpt
The initial reports and videos from Meriden today are concerning, and state police are investigating what occurred.
Reports that some ICE agents wore masks and some did not, quotes Governor Lamont's communications office, and reports the Meriden mayor's office was not notified.
Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: OfficialsParagraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's officeWhether ICE had approval to wear masks in the courthouse remains unresolved
Video showed some but not all ICE agents wearing face coverings inside the courthouse. A Judicial Branch spokesperson did not say whether ICE had approval under state law to do so.
[03]Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: Officials
Source excerpt
The initial reports and videos from Meriden today are concerning, and state police are investigating what occurred.
Reports that some ICE agents wore masks and some did not, quotes Governor Lamont's communications office, and reports the Meriden mayor's office was not notified.
Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: OfficialsParagraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's officeICE identifies the man arrested and defends the operation
Claim
ICE publicly identified the man arrested as Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, cited prior driving offenses and a 2023 removal order, and said judicial marshals impeded the arrest.
[05]Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?
Source excerpt
The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense.
Reports an ICE spokesperson's statement defending the Meriden arrest and a brief quote from Governor Lamont.
Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?Paragraphs quoting the ICE spokesperson's statement and Governor Lamont[06]Meriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE Officer
Source excerpt
On September 23, ICE arrested Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador, in Meriden, Connecticut during a targeted enforcement operation.
A partisan outlet that says it obtained a full statement from DHS and ICE. We use it only for the portion of the statement that overlaps verbatim with WSHU's independently reported excerpt, and for the identification of Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, which the Hartford Courant separately corroborated. We did not verify the article's uncorroborated claim that a marshal threatened an officer, and we do not repeat that specific claim.
Meriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE OfficerFull DHS/ICE statement reproduced in the articleAttorney General William Tong calls ICE's conduct a deliberate provocation
Claim
Tong said ICE's actions at the courthouse caused serious injury and needless chaos and said his office would keep defending the state's immigration-enforcement limits.
[07]CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to change
Source excerpt
ICE’s deliberate provocation at the courthouse in Meriden resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system.
Reports on-record reactions from state legislative leaders, the Attorney General, the Governor's office, an immigrant-advocacy coalition and the Judicial Branch as the TRUST Act's October 1 protected-spaces provision approached.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanJudicial Branch review finds no evidence marshals impeded ICE
Claim
A Judicial Branch spokeswoman said its review of videos and interviews did not support ICE's claim that marshals impeded the arrest, and that the review was continuing.
[07]CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to change
Source excerpt
ICE’s deliberate provocation at the courthouse in Meriden resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system.
Reports on-record reactions from state legislative leaders, the Attorney General, the Governor's office, an immigrant-advocacy coalition and the Judicial Branch as the TRUST Act's October 1 protected-spaces provision approached.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanState leaders and an advocacy coalition react as new courthouse rules near
Reaction
Governor Lamont's office, House Speaker Matt Ritter, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and the Hands Off Connecticut coalition criticized ICE's conduct at the Meriden courthouse as a new TRUST Act provision requiring a judicial warrant in protected spaces was set to take effect October 1.
[07]CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to change
Source excerpt
ICE’s deliberate provocation at the courthouse in Meriden resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system.
Reports on-record reactions from state legislative leaders, the Attorney General, the Governor's office, an immigrant-advocacy coalition and the Judicial Branch as the TRUST Act's October 1 protected-spaces provision approached.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswoman
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
ICE's actions at the Meriden courthouse were a deliberate provocation that caused serious injury and needless chaos for the state's court system, and the state will use its authority to enforce the TRUST Act against federal challenges.
Sources (1)
- CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswoman
Disputed claim
Arresting Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz inside the Meriden courthouse was appropriate because he already had a final order of removal, and making the arrest there conserved law-enforcement resources and was safer for officers and the community.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Sources (2)
- Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?Paragraphs quoting the ICE spokesperson's statement and Governor Lamont
- Meriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE OfficerFull DHS/ICE statement reproduced in the article
Disputed claim
The man ICE arrested at the Meriden courthouse had been in court for a motor-vehicle violation and was targeted through racial profiling.
Sources (2)
- Man Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: ReportsParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro's Facebook post and the Judicial Branch's statement to WFSB
- Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's office
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 9. Dates: September 23, 2026 to September 29, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
9 responses on this page
Hands Off Connecticut "When federal agents barged into the state courthouse in Meriden, they did not just abduct another community member, they fundamentally challenged the legitimacy of our state government. Marshals opened the doors wide for ICE while pushing the citizens out of their own courthouse. ICE went so far as to pepper spray bystanders and a marshal assaulted another, causing one to be taken from the court by ambulance to the ER. This is an unforgivable act of collaboration, for which we demand justice."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanCondemnedCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
The Hands Off Connecticut coalition said marshals let ICE into the courthouse while pushing activists out, and called the marshals' cooperation with ICE an unforgivable act for which it demanded justice.
Role at the time: Statement from the Hands Off Connecticut coalition
Before the statement
The coalition includes groups such as Danbury Unites for Immigrants, Bridgeport Rapid Response and the New Haven Immigrants Coalition.
After the statement
The coalition said Connecticut's TRUST Act promised that local law enforcement would not be an extension of ICE, and said that promise was being broken.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanWhy this label?
The coalition calls the operation an unforgivable act of collaboration and demands justice, an express condemnation of the marshals' and ICE's conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Martin Looney "The agency operating ICE inherently understands that some of what they’re doing is shameful, and that’s why they don’t want to be identified. It’s an extraordinary thing for people engaged in law enforcement to think they have to remain anonymous. It means that they don’t have confidence in the morality of their own mission. FBI agents do not wear masks. ATF agents — they don’t wear masks, either. Federal marshals who protect courthouses — they don’t wear masks."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanCondemnedCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney said ICE's use of masks reflected a lack of confidence in its own mission, contrasting it with the FBI, ATF and federal court marshals, none of which he said wear masks.
Role at the time: Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore
Before the statement
Looney said he believes the TRUST Act is constitutional and that ICE officials are ignoring a presumptively valid state law.
After the statement
Looney said he would be open to a special legislative session later in the year if a federal court ruling required it.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanWhy this label?
Looney criticizes ICE's masking practice as shameful and inconsistent with other federal law enforcement, an express criticism of that conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Matt Ritter "If you look at the law that we passed, adherence to that law is going to avoid the type of situations that we’ve seen that put not only officers in harm’s way but also people they’re trying to apprehend. Storming courthouses or hospitals or schools is not going to make people safer, and I don’t think it’s a good outcome for law enforcement, either. ... It puts our law enforcement in a tough spot. I think it puts the federal officers in a tough spot. We should not have people going into those types of places. They are very sensitive and have long been considered sensitive sites."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanOpen source (opens in a new tab)Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouseFull article, including the Burton, Gallagher, Ment and Ritter quotesCondemnedCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
House Speaker Matt Ritter said the Meriden incident was exactly the kind of situation the TRUST Act was meant to avoid and that entering sensitive sites like courthouses does not make people safer.
Role at the time: Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives
Before the statement
Ritter said on the day of the arrest that lawmakers knew there would be challenges when the TRUST Act passed.
After the statement
Ritter said he would be open to calling a special legislative session later in the year if a federal court ruling required changes to the law.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanTwo people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouseFull article, including the Burton, Gallagher, Ment and Ritter quotesWhy this label?
Ritter describes the incident as exactly what the law was meant to prevent and says storming sensitive sites is not safer, criticizing how the operation was carried out.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Office of the Governor of Connecticut "By designating protected spaces, we can keep these sensitive places safe for all residents, undocumented and citizen alike. ... ICE doesn’t belong in doctors’ offices or in schools, and as we saw in Meriden, its presence in courthouses can endanger people seeking justice. Beginning October 1, ICE agents will be required to show a judicial warrant to enter these spaces."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanCondemnedCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
The governor's office said ICE's presence endangered people at the Meriden courthouse and pointed to the incoming October 1 rule requiring a judicial warrant to enter protected spaces.
Role at the time: Chief spokeswoman for Governor Ned Lamont
Before the statement
The statement followed the September 23 arrest and came as the state's new masking and protected-space rules were set to take effect October 1.
After the statement
The office said the state passed the law because it viewed masked ICE agents as involved in too many violent incidents.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanWhy this label?
The office criticizes ICE's courthouse presence as endangering people seeking justice, which is a rejection of that conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Connecticut Judicial BranchDirectly involved "Based on our review of videos and interviews conducted to date, we do not believe that our marshals impeded the work of federal officials. ... As our review of the incident continues, we will be mindful of these allegations and will take action if necessary."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanDeniedCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
A Connecticut Judicial Branch spokeswoman said the branch's review found no evidence that marshals impeded ICE's work during the Meriden arrest, while its broader review of the incident continued.
Role at the time: Connecticut Judicial Branch spokeswoman
Before the statement
Judicial Marshal Services had received a warrant of removal or deportation before the September 23 arrest, and the branch said the same day it was reviewing video of the incident.
After the statement
The branch's review of whether state law was followed was still ongoing when the statement was made.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanWhy this label?
The branch explicitly says its review does not support the claim that marshals impeded federal officials, directly denying that part of ICE's account.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
William Tong"ICE’s deliberate provocation at the courthouse in Meriden resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system. ... No one is above the law, including federal immigration officials. We are using every ounce of our authority to protect the people of Connecticut, including vigorously defending the state’s lawful and necessary measures to protect public safety against federal challenges."
Open source (opens in a new tab)CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanCondemnedResponding to: ICE's actions at the Meriden courthouse were a deliberate provocation that caused serious injury and needless chaos for the state's court system, and the state will use its authority to enforce the TRUST Act against federal challenges.
Read more
Attorney General William Tong called ICE's conduct at the Meriden courthouse a deliberate provocation that injured someone and disrupted the court system, and said his office would keep defending the state's law.
Role at the time: Connecticut Attorney General
Before the statement
Tong's office is defending Connecticut in a federal lawsuit over the state's immigration-enforcement limits.
After the statement
Tong's office does not have criminal jurisdiction over any mask-related violation; that would fall to local prosecutors and the Chief State's Attorney's office.
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to changeQuotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswomanWhy this label?
Tong directly denounces ICE's conduct as a provocation that caused injury and chaos, an express criticism of that conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Show fewer responses
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementDirectly involved "The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense. It conserves valuable law enforcement resources because they already know where a target will be. It is also safer for our officers and the community. These illegal aliens have gone through security and been screened to not have any weapons."
Open source (opens in a new tab)Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?Paragraphs quoting the ICE spokesperson's statement and Governor LamontOpen source (opens in a new tab)Meriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE OfficerFull DHS/ICE statement reproduced in the articleDefended or excusedResponding to: Arresting Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz inside the Meriden courthouse was appropriate because he already had a final order of removal, and making the arrest there conserved law-enforcement resources and was safer for officers and the community.
Read more
An ICE spokesperson defended the Meriden courthouse arrest, saying courthouse arrests are common sense, conserve resources, and are safer for officers and the community.
Role at the time: ICE spokesperson, in a statement to reporters
Before the statement
The statement came after activists confronted agents outside the courthouse and after Connecticut officials said they were reviewing whether the operation complied with the TRUST Act.
After the statement
The statement did not address whether the agents were permitted to wear face coverings inside the courthouse under state law.
Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?Paragraphs quoting the ICE spokesperson's statement and Governor LamontMeriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE OfficerFull DHS/ICE statement reproduced in the articleWhy this label?
The statement argues the courthouse arrest and the practice behind it were appropriate and safer, which defends the conduct rather than criticizing or denying it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Office of the Mayor of Meriden "You would have to get details on any arrests made by ICE from that agency"
Open source (opens in a new tab)Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's officeOpen source (opens in a new tab)Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: OfficialsParagraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's officeExplicitly stayed outCase context: Did ICE's conduct at the Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse violate the state's TRUST Act?
Read more
Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati's office said neither the mayor nor city police were told ICE would be in Meriden that day, and referred questions about the arrest to ICE.
Role at the time: Office of Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati
Before the statement
ICE did not notify Meriden's mayor or police department before or during the operation, according to the mayor's office.
After the statement
Advocates said they were unable to learn the arrested man's name before he was taken away.
Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's officePerson detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: OfficialsParagraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's officeWhy this label?
The mayor's office redirects questions about the arrest to ICE rather than characterizing whether the operation was proper, an explicit decline to address the matter.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Miguel Castro "Public safety should be one of our priorities to make sure members of our community can actually perform all of their duties and obligations in a safe environment. But even more concerning that judicial Marshalls are actually cooperating with and interacting and sharing information with ice agents"
Open source (opens in a new tab)Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's officeOpen source (opens in a new tab)Man Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: ReportsParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro's Facebook post and the Judicial Branch's statement to WFSBCondemnedResponding to: The man ICE arrested at the Meriden courthouse had been in court for a motor-vehicle violation and was targeted through racial profiling.
Read more
Miguel Castro, an immigrant-rights advocate, said judicial marshals protected the ICE agents inside the courthouse while keeping advocates out, and criticized marshals for cooperating with and sharing information with ICE.
Role at the time: Immigrant-rights advocate and former Meriden city councilman
Before the statement
Castro, who was recording the confrontation, said advocates gathered outside the courthouse after learning ICE agents were nearby.
After the statement
Castro separately wrote on Facebook that the man ICE arrested had been in court for a motor-vehicle violation and was targeted through racial profiling.
Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrestParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's officeMan Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: ReportsParagraphs quoting Miguel Castro's Facebook post and the Judicial Branch's statement to WFSBWhy this label?
Castro directly criticizes the marshals' cooperation with ICE as concerning, an express criticism of that conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(7)
Reporting
Two people hurt as activists, ICE clash at Meriden courthouse
Relevant passage: Full article, including the Burton, Gallagher, Ment and Ritter quotes
Excerpt
"He wanted to use his pepper spray, he didn’t have to."
About this source
On-scene original reporting from the Connecticut Mirror covering the September 23, 2026 arrest and confrontation at the Meriden courthouse. This is the case's primary source.
- Author
- Laura Tillman / The Connecticut Mirror
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
CT law limits federal ICE agents. Debate is over whether it can it be enforced or needs to change
Relevant passage: Quotes from Ritter, Tong, Vaulman (for Governor Lamont), the Hands Off Connecticut coalition, Looney and the Judicial Branch spokeswoman
Excerpt
"ICE’s deliberate provocation at the courthouse in Meriden resulted in serious injury and caused needless chaos for our court system."
About this source
Reports on-record reactions from state legislative leaders, the Attorney General, the Governor's office, an immigrant-advocacy coalition and the Judicial Branch as the TRUST Act's October 1 protected-spaces provision approached.
- Author
- Christopher Keating / Hartford Courant
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Meriden Judicial Marshals Impede ICE Arrest, Threaten ICE Officer
Relevant passage: Full DHS/ICE statement reproduced in the article
Excerpt
"On September 23, ICE arrested Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador, in Meriden, Connecticut during a targeted enforcement operation."
About this source
A partisan outlet that says it obtained a full statement from DHS and ICE. We use it only for the portion of the statement that overlaps verbatim with WSHU's independently reported excerpt, and for the identification of Welington Leonel Almara-Diaz, which the Hartford Courant separately corroborated. We did not verify the article's uncorroborated claim that a marshal threatened an officer, and we do not repeat that specific claim.
- Author
- CT Centinal Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Person detained by ICE at Meriden courthouse Thursday: Officials
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on face coverings, the Governor's communications office statement, and the Meriden mayor's office
Excerpt
"The initial reports and videos from Meriden today are concerning, and state police are investigating what occurred."
About this source
Reports that some ICE agents wore masks and some did not, quotes Governor Lamont's communications office, and reports the Meriden mayor's office was not notified.
- Author
- Jayne Chacko / NBC Connecticut
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Viewer video allegedly shows ICE agents entering Meriden courthouse to make arrest
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Miguel Castro and the Meriden mayor's office
Excerpt
"You would have to get details on any arrests made by ICE from that agency"
About this source
Reports the Meriden mayor's office statement that it was not notified of the operation, and Miguel Castro's on-record account of the confrontation.
- Author
- WFSB Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man Arrested By ICE At Meriden Courthouse, Activist Injured In Confrontation: Reports
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Miguel Castro's Facebook post and the Judicial Branch's statement to WFSB
Excerpt
"The incident began after an individual with a DMV violation was allegedly targeted through racial profiling"
About this source
Reports Miguel Castro's Facebook post describing the arrest as racial profiling, and reproduces the Connecticut Judicial Branch's full statement to WFSB.
- Author
- Vincent Salzo / Patch
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Did ICE break state law when masked agents entered a Meriden courthouse?
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the ICE spokesperson's statement and Governor Lamont
Excerpt
"The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense."
About this source
Reports an ICE spokesperson's statement defending the Meriden arrest and a brief quote from Governor Lamont.
- Author
- Davis Dunavin / WSHU
- Published
- Accessed