West Hartford GOP Defends ICE After Dems Condemn Restaurateur's Detention

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A day after Democratic elected officials and community leaders called for the release of a West Hartford business owner detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the West Hartford Republican Town Committee defended the federal agency's actions and criticized the local Democratic response.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 30, the West Hartford Republican Town Committee questioned the criticism directed at ICE.

"West Hartford delegation is falling all over themselves to slam ICE for doing THEIR JOB," the committee wrote. "Are there any facts out there about this individual? Is he here illegally? Did he re-enter the country after his first deportation? Does he have a 25-year deportation order? Facts matter."

The post came one day after U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-West Hartford, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and community advocates gathered outside West Hartford Town Hall to call for the release of Seyo Cecunjanin, who was detained by ICE on June 20.

According to Larson, Cecunjanin was leaving a Dunkin' restaurant in West Hartford and walking to his vehicle when ICE agents stopped him.

Larson said five federal vehicles surrounded Cecunjanin, blocked his car and took him into custody at gunpoint before transporting him to an immigration detention facility in Rhode Island.

Cecunjanin owns Portobello Restaurant, located at 156 Park Road, and The Laundry Room on the Ave., a dry-cleaning and wash-and-fold business at 772 Farmington Ave., according to the West Hartford Book, an online business directory.

At Monday's press conference, Larson described the detention as unjustified and said Cecunjanin has lived in the United States since 1997 after fleeing the former Yugoslavia during the conflicts associated with Slobodan Milošević's government.

Larson said Cecunjanin is legally authorized to work in the United States, owns two West Hartford businesses and has been pursuing lawful permanent resident status.

Mayor Shari Cantor called the detention "heartbreaking" and "disturbing."

During Monday's event, Larson and Blumenthal joined Cantor and community members in urging federal immigration officials to release Cecunjanin while his immigration case proceeds.

The Republican Town Committee's statement did not address Larson's assertions regarding Cecunjanin's work authorization or pending immigration status.

Instead, the committee questioned whether all relevant facts about his immigration history had been made public, writing, "Facts matter."

Federal immigration officials have not publicly detailed the legal basis for Cecunjanin's detention.

His immigration proceedings remain pending.

From June 29: 'Prominent West Hartford Businessman 'Abducted' By ICE: Officials; Outrage Expressed: UPDATE'