West Hartford business owner detained by ICE, elected officials call for his release
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - A West Hartford business owner was taken into ICE custody last weekend outside a Dunkin’ location on Park Road, prompting elected officials and community members to call for his release.
The West Hartford delegation said Seyo Cecunjanin was detained by ICE agents in unmarked vehicles with guns drawn and was handcuffed in front of his sons before being transported to a detention facility in Rhode Island.
Cecunjanin came to the United States nearly three decades ago after fleeing the war in Montenegro, raised a family in West Hartford and owns a restaurant and dry-cleaning business in the town, elected officials said.
Officials said Cecunjanin has a pending application for lawful permanent residency and is legally authorized to work in the United States.
“Once again, our state is shaken by the detention of a respected member of our community,” the West Hartford delegation said in a statement.
The delegation called for Cecunjanin’s release while his immigration proceedings continue.
Congressional response
Rep. John B. Larson and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, community leaders and advocates outside West Hartford Town Hall with Cecunjanin’s son, Emir, to demand his father’s release from ICE custody.
Larson said Cecunjanin has resided in the United States since 1997 and raised a family in Connecticut after fleeing Yugoslavia.
“Mr. Cecunjanin’s detention has immediate and far-reaching consequences, not only for his wife and three sons, but also for the employees whose livelihoods depend on his businesses and the customers and neighbors who know him as a hardworking entrepreneur and community member,” the West Hartford delegation said.
DHS response
The Department of Homeland Security identified the man as Sead Cecunjanin, describing him as a criminal illegal alien from Montenegro with a previous DUI conviction. DHS said Cecunjanin illegally entered the United States on March 21, 1997, using a fraudulent passport belonging to a Dutch national.
According to DHS, a Justice Department immigration judge issued Cecunjanin a final order of removal on Sept. 25, 1997. DHS said he departed the United States for Serbia on July 30, 2024, and returned about two weeks later on Aug. 16, 2024, and was released back into the country despite the removal order.
ICE arrested Cecunjanin on June 20, according to DHS.
DHS said it is working to remove individuals like Cecunjanin from the country.
“Cecunjanin has made a mockery of our immigration laws on several occasions for more than two decades,” DHS said in a statement. “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in our country.”
No further details were released.