Larson Statement on the Release of Zia from ICE Custody

East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on Zia's release from ICE custody. Zia is an Afghan visa holder who was detained by masked ICE agents at his July green card appointment in East Hartford. 

“After more than two months in ICE custody, I am thankful Zia is back home with his loved ones,” said Larson. “Donald Trump’s personal secret police agents have terrorized immigrant communities across the country and right here in Connecticut – in East Hartford, Newington, Southington, and Hamden just the other day. It is appalling to continue to watch ICE disguise themselves in black masks and descend upon towns across the nation, armed with guns to tear mothers from their children. That is not the America I know, or the America our citizens know and understand. If you break the law, that’s one thing, but as Newington Mayor Jon Trister said, they are not only terrorizing immigrants; they are striking fear into entire communities. Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are tearing us apart, but they will not succeed in the end – so long as Americans keep speaking out for the rule of law, the Constitution, and due process for citizens and noncitizens alike. People will not stand idly by and be silenced by this authoritarian power grab.” 

Rep. Larson called for Zia’s release after he was detained in July. Rep. Larson is a cosponsor of the No Secret Police Act in Congress, which would require immigration enforcement to identify themselves and bar officers from wearing masks. He is also a cosponsor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, to prevent ICE raids in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship. Rep. Larson also joined Democrats to call for the immediate reinstatement of programs the Trump Administration canceled that protected Afghan refugees, including residents like Zia who risked their own lives to aid U.S. servicemembers whose lives were in jeopardy during overseas missions.