The immigration landscape in the United States has shifted dramatically—and rapidly since President Trump came back into office. Over the past several months, immigrants across the country have been living under the shadow of a sharp increase in ICE enforcement activity. Reports of coordinated raids, arrests in workplaces and neighborhoods, and targeted detentions are flooding in. These enforcement efforts are not limited to border states. They are happening here in Connecticut too.

As an immigration law firm with over twenty years of experience representing families and individuals throughout our state, The Law Offices of James A. Welcome is deeply concerned by what we are witnessing. These raids, and the policies behind them, have real consequences. They separate families. They disrupt communities. They cause fear and confusion—and in far too many cases, they open the door to exploitation.

So what can you do? How can you protect yourself and your loved ones? And what role do protests and legal advocacy play in all of this? Let’s break it down.

Are ICE Raids Really Happening in Connecticut?

Yes—and they’re not isolated. While much of the national media coverage has focused on large-scale ICE operations in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas, similar enforcement tactics are playing out quietly and consistently in communities across Connecticut. Cities including Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Danbury, and Norwalk have seen increased ICE activity. 

What’s important to understand is that this isn’t limited to border enforcement anymore. The Trump administration has made interior enforcement a cornerstone of its immigration strategy—meaning that agents are actively pursuing individuals who have built long-standing lives here. These are parents, workers, students, and community members who may have lived in the U.S. for decades and have no criminal history.

ICE agents have been showing up:

• At private residences without notice, often before dawn
• Outside of local courthouses following non-criminal hearings
• At job sites, particularly in construction and food service industries
• In public places, following community tips or surveillance

Many of the individuals being detained have only minor immigration violations, like overstaying a visa or missing a court appearance years ago. Yet they are being treated with the same urgency and aggression as individuals deemed high-risk by DHS.

In response, cities across the U.S. are seeing a surge in protests. Demonstrations have erupted in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas, where immigrant communities and allies are marching, holding vigils, and calling for humane immigration policies. 

What Should You Do If ICE Comes to Your Door?

This is one of the most urgent and frequent questions we receive from clients—and for good reason. No one wants to be caught off guard in a moment that could change their life. If ICE shows up at your home, your response matters. You may feel pressure to cooperate immediately, but remember: you have rights under the law, regardless of your immigration status.

Don’t Open the Door Without a Judicial Warrant

First and foremost, do not open the door unless ICE presents a warrant signed by a federal immigration judge. An administrative ICE warrant (often labeled as Form I-200 or I-205) is not the same as a judicial warrant and does not grant them legal permission to enter your home. You can ask to see the warrant by sliding it under the door or holding it up to a window.

If they do not have a signed judicial warrant, you are not required to let them in.

Stay Calm. Stay Silent.

If ICE begins asking questions, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you, even casual statements like “I’m not a citizen.” If you’re unsure what to say, don’t guess—say nothing until you speak with a lawyer.

Even if ICE claims they are “just here to talk,” remember that their goal is often to make an arrest. Don’t fall into casual conversation. Don’t answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country. You are not obligated to share any information beyond your name (and in some cases, not even that, if you fear it could cause self-incrimination).

Never Sign Anything Without Legal Review

ICE may pressure you to sign forms—especially if you’re nervous or frightened. They might say it will help your case or speed things up. In reality, you could be signing away your right to a hearing, agreeing to deportation, or waiving other legal defenses.

Do not sign anything unless and until your attorney has reviewed it.

Key Rights to Remember

• You have the right to remain silent.
• You have the right to refuse entry without a judicial warrant.
• You have the right to consult with an attorney.
• You have the right to a hearing in most cases, unless you waive it.

These rights apply whether you’re undocumented, out of status, or in the middle of a pending immigration case. Don’t assume you have no protection just because you don’t have a green card.

Now Is the Time to Prepare

The best way to respond to ICE is to be prepared before they ever show up. At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we work closely with families to develop safety plans that outline who to call, what documents to keep accessible, and what steps to take if someone is detained.

Even if you believe you’ve run out of options, a consultation with a knowledgeable immigration attorney could reveal a path forward.

What’s Driving These Raids?

The Trump administration has once again placed immigration enforcement at the forefront of its domestic policy agenda. But unlike during the first term, this time around the infrastructure is already in place. Years of policy groundwork, court decisions, and administrative maneuvering have laid the foundation for a sweeping enforcement strategy that reaches far beyond the southern border.

What we’re witnessing now is not simply a reactivation of immigration enforcement—it’s a full-scale expansion. The administration has dramatically increased funding for U.S. ICE, broadened the scope of cooperation with local law enforcement, and dismantled key humanitarian programs that once provided limited protections to vulnerable groups. 

Executive Power Meets Enforcement Priority

Through executive action, federal agencies have been directed to prioritize the detention and removal of anyone without permanent legal status. This includes long-time residents with clean records, parents of U.S. citizen children, and even those actively in the process of applying for relief. The message is clear: under this administration, no one is safe from enforcement, regardless of their history, community ties, or contributions.

These policies are driven by political messaging and an attempt to project “toughness” on immigration to a national audience. Immigrants are being used as symbols, not as people.

How Can You Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams?

In moments of fear, people are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of. That’s why we urge our community to be extremely cautious about who they trust with their legal matters.

Here are key tips:

• Only work with licensed attorneys. If someone is offering to represent you in court or file forms on your behalf, ask for their bar license. Check if they are authorized to practice law in your state.
• Avoid notarios. In the U.S., a “notario” is not the same as an attorney. Many notarios give false hope and charge high fees for services they cannot legally perform.
• Demand receipts and copies. Never pay cash without documentation. Make sure you receive a copy of every form submitted on your behalf.
• Consult before you act. Do not leave the country, attend an interview, or submit a response to USCIS without understanding your risks. A single mistake can have serious consequences.

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we have seen the damage caused by poor legal advice. We’ve helped families fix errors—when it was still possible. But sometimes, those mistakes are irreversible.

What You Can Do Today

If you or someone you love is at risk due to current immigration enforcement, take the following steps:

1. Know your rights. Educate yourself and your family on what to do if ICE comes to your home, work, or neighborhood.
2. Consult with an attorney. Do not wait until there’s a knock at your door or a notice in the mail. Schedule a legal consultation now.
3. Report fraud. If you’ve been the victim of a scam or received poor legal advice, report it. And contact our firm—we may be able to help correct the issue.
4. Stay informed. Policies are changing rapidly. Work with a firm that actively monitors legal developments and can advise you as things evolve.

Your Immigration Future Deserves Protection

This is a difficult time for immigrants across the country. The raids, the fear, the confusion—they are not just headlines. They are real experiences lived by real people.

But even in times of uncertainty, you are not without rights. You are not without support. You are not alone.

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we bring over two decades of experience to every case we handle. We understand the stakes. We understand the system. And we understand that behind every file is a person, a family, and a future worth fighting for.

If you need guidance, answers, or a trusted legal advocate, contact us today.

Call (203) 753-7300 or visit www.welcomelawfirm.com to schedule your confidential consultation.

Because when your rights are on the line, you need more than a law firm. You need a team that will stand with you.