CT Official Sues DHS Over 'Media' Vests At Danbury ICE Raid

DANBURY, CT — A Connecticut elected official filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking records that could reveal whether immigration agents posed as members of the media during arrests in Danbury earlier this year.

Jerald Lentini, a member of Manchester's Board of Directors, filed the lawsuit Nov. 10 in U.S. District Court in Hartford against the Department of Homeland Security, claiming federal immigration agencies failed to properly respond to his public records requests.

The lawsuit stems from immigration enforcement operations conducted in Danbury on June 4, when masked individuals wearing tactical gear and vests marked "MEDIA" were reportedly seen accompanying federal agents near the Danbury courthouse.

According to the complaint, the individuals carried camera equipment, traveled in vehicles with ICE agents and wore clothing similar to that of federal officers.

Their identities and whether they were federal agents remain unknown.

The complaint describes four categories of requested records, including any agreements between DHS and media production companies covering the June 4 Danbury operation, purchase orders for patches marked "MEDIA" or "PRESS," and internal policies or communications about federal agents using those labels.

Lentini also claimed that masked federal agents violated a Connecticut law restricting law enforcement officers from concealing their identities while interacting with the public. The law includes exceptions for certain circumstances, including authorized undercover operations. The lawsuit does not establish that any officer violated the law.

Lentini filed Freedom of Information Act requests with DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection in July, seeking documents that could establish who authorized the use of the media markings and whether federal agents are permitted to identify themselves as journalists.

The requests followed reporting by Hearst Connecticut Media columnist Dan Haar about the June arrests.

According to the complaint, ICE responded in August that the request did not sufficiently describe the records sought to allow a focused search.

CBP acknowledged the request but said the records were outside its jurisdiction and closed the matter, according to the lawsuit. Lentini appealed that decision.

DHS acknowledged receiving the request but had not provided a further response when the lawsuit was filed, the complaint states.

The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order DHS to release the requested records and award legal costs and attorney's fees.

"My questions are simple: Who bought these patches, who authorized their use, and what are the rules for DHS agents pretending to be press?" Lentini said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "It shouldn't take a federal lawsuit to get answers."

Danbury Has Seen Months Of ICE Enforcement Activity

The lawsuit follows months of immigration enforcement operations in Danbury, including arrests near the city's courthouse.

In June, federal immigration authorities arrested a man at Danbury Superior Court who was facing state attempted arson charges, according to federal prosecutors.

The arrest came amid new state restrictions on civil immigration enforcement at courthouses, though Judicial Branch officials said ICE presented a judicial warrant that court marshals verified.

Danbury saw another surge in immigration enforcement activity in late August, prompting concerns from local officials and residents. ICE later confirmed 118 arrests across southern Connecticut during the week of Aug. 24 but did not specify how many occurred in Danbury.

Lawsuit Seeks Records About Media Identification

Lentini, who is serving his second term on Manchester's Board of Directors, is also a civil rights attorney with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

He filed the lawsuit in his private capacity, rather than on behalf of any government agency or public body.

His attorney, Kel McClanahan of National Security Counselors, said the use of media identification by law enforcement raises serious questions about transparency and press independence.

The lawsuit does not establish that the individuals wearing media patches were federal agents or that they falsely identified themselves as journalists.