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Federal immigration agents have been arresting parents at school bus stops in Danbury, Connecticut — waiting until children had boarded the bus before taking their mothers and fathers into custody, according to Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.
“This morning in Danbury, ICE was arresting parents at school bus stops. But it’s more sinister. ICE waited until the kids were on the bus so when they are dropped off at the end of the day, they are alone, scared to death they can’t find their parents.”
— Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
The raids have sparked outrage across Connecticut, with state and federal officials descending on Danbury to address the escalating crisis. At least 50 people have been arrested by ICE in the city over three days this week. The advocacy group Danbury Unites for Immigrants confirmed 25 people were detained Wednesday, 16 on Monday, and at least nine on Tuesday.
The School Bus Stops: A “Reign of Terror”
The arrests have targeted parents in the most vulnerable moments of their day. According to multiple reports, ICE agents waited at bus stops as parents dropped off their children. Once the children were on the bus, agents moved in.
“If you can sort of imagine how one would design a system intended to terrorize a community — not intended to keep the community safe — you would design what they’re doing in Danbury right now.”
— Sen. Chris Murphy
A video posted by immigrant advocacy group Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants, filmed from inside a moving school bus, appears to show unmarked law enforcement vehicles traveling through residential streets.
“We have eye witness accounts of ICE circling around bus stops as kids were getting off the bus home from school. Kids were afraid to get off the bus and to walk home. Families are scared to walk their children to school and are keeping their home.”
— Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants
Murphy described the impact on children in stark terms:
“They knew what would happen when the bus came back, right? The kids don’t know that their parents are gone. The bus comes back … this little 7-year-old gets dropped off expecting to be greeted by their parent, and there’s no parent.”
— Sen. Chris Murphy
The Arrests: 50 People in Three Days
The raids represent a significant escalation in immigration enforcement in Connecticut. ICE has been arresting parents at school bus stops, as well as at their homes, local businesses, and day-laborer gathering spots.
The numbers:
- Monday: 16 people arrested in Danbury
- Tuesday: At least 9-10 people arrested
- Wednesday: 25 people arrested
- Total: At least 50 people arrested in Danbury this week
The arrests have occurred at a Latino grocery store, CTown — which Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves called the city supermarket with the most Latino shoppers. Two legal observers from Danbury Unites for Immigrants were shoved by officers, with one hospitalized with injuries from pepper spray.
ICE has declined to discuss the specifics of the operation. An ICE spokesperson in New England said in an email:
“For operational security and the safety of our officers, ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
— ICE New England spokesperson
“Congress Should Not Authorize a Single Additional Dollar for ICE”
Murphy joined other elected officials in Danbury Wednesday at a rally of immigrant rights groups demanding accountability.
“Congress should not authorize a single additional dollar for ICE while this illegality continues.”
— Sen. Chris Murphy
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued a statement from abroad:
“ICE’s cruelty and craven brutality has no limit. Snatching people off the streets as they walk their children to school or wait for a ride to work — such tactics are abusive, abhorrent, and illegal.”
— Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Governor Ned Lamont said he was “outraged” by the recent ICE activity. But at a press conference in Kennedy Park, he was interrupted by activists who shouted, “We don’t need your outrage. We need action” . At one point, Lamont left the podium mid-sentence.
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5) pushed back against frustrated activists:
“You elected me to go to Washington to pass laws, to vote on legislation. Once you gave me a seat at the table, it means you don’t want me outside yelling in the window. You want me at those tables doing the job that you sent me to do.”
— Rep. Jahana Hayes
Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves said the city has been working with advocacy groups to support the immigrant community.
“This isn’t a coincidence. This is intentional. Today, our office received reports that a Danbury resident who has lived here for 30 years, who has a work authorization and tax ID number, applied for permanent residency, was also picked up and detained.”
— Mayor Roberto Alves
The Community Response: Fear, Anger, and Resilience
Danbury, a city in western Connecticut, is home to a sizable immigrant community. Roughly 35 percent of its residents were born outside the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Activists say the current raids represent a “nightmare scenario” they hoped would never come.
“This week, ICE has raided Danbury every day. Over 40 families have been torn apart. There have been dozens of cars that have been left behind.”
— Juan Fonseca Tapia, co-founder of Danbury Unites for Immigrants
Volunteers have been working around the clock to help families locate their loved ones.
“Today, I took calls from the helpline, I lost count how many people asked how to find their family members and how to get a lawyer. Volunteers like me have been watching over bus stops the whole afternoon. We’ve seen ICE vehicles circling school buses like vultures.”
— Clementina Lunar, DUFI volunteer
Fonseca Tapia described the arrests in stark terms:
“The people that they took yesterday, the people that they took Monday, they hurt them. They were bleeding. I saw the chains that they put on them. Not handcuffs, literal chains.”
— Juan Fonseca Tapia
The Historical Context
The press conference was held at Kennedy Park — a place with a painful history for the Danbury community. It is near the site where, in 2006, 11 day laborers waiting to be picked up for work were instead tricked by a police officer posing as a contractor and handed over to federal immigration authorities.
That arrest resulted in a lawsuit that was settled in 2011. Nearly two decades later, the community is reliving a similar trauma.
The Bottom Line
ICE has arrested at least 50 people in Danbury this week — including parents at school bus stops, homes, and local businesses. Children are being dropped off at school only to find their parents missing when they return home.
Connecticut’s top elected officials have condemned the raids, but activists are demanding action, not just outrage. Murphy has called on Congress to defund ICE. Hayes has requested a meeting with the Department of Homeland Security. And community members are bracing for what comes next.
“I fear that this is a sign of what’s to come for the fall in Connecticut cities.”
— Sen. Chris Murphy
The effort to build better communities and a better America starts with you. Visit Fight for the People PAC and Democrats.org today and sign up, to give or do what you can to make America better for all.
Sources
Newsweek: “ICE accused of arresting parents at school bus stops” (August 27, 2026)
Democracy Now!: “ICE Arrests Parents at School Bus Stops as Agents Target Danbury, Connecticut” (August 27, 2026)
News from the States: “U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy focuses on ICE during ‘In The Room’ visit” (August 26, 2026)
News from the States: “Danbury residents express fear, anger as ICE arrests escalate” (August 26, 2026)
WSHU: “50 arrested by ICE in Danbury; officials and protesters clash over how to respond” (August 26, 2026)
CT Public: “CT officials pledge support for immigrant advocates, as Danbury faces 50 ICE detainments this week” (August 26, 2026)
NewsBreak: “But it’s more sinister: Connecticut senator claims ICE agents are arresting parents at school bus stops” (August 27, 2026)
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