The Danbury City Council voted 18-2 on Tuesday to allow non-citizens to serve as police officers. Permanent legal residents and DACA recipients can now access law enforcement positions thanks to this decision. The move comes just one week after federal agents conducted sweeps across the region.
The Hartford Courant reports officials estimated that roughly six or seven of the 100 arrested individuals possessed criminal records. Families avoiding their homes during raids caused school attendance to fall by approximately 700 students. Joe Britton, a Democratic council member, linked the vote's timing directly to those recent operations.
Britton told his colleagues that the measure sends a clear signal to the local immigrant community. He stated, "It's legal. It's allowed. It's been recommended." I believe it is timely; this vote assures our immigrant community in Danbury that you are welcome. Roberto Alves, the Mayor, championed the ordinance as a solution to a long-standing eligibility gap.
BREAKING: Danbury, CT City Council just voted to allow NON CITIZENS and DACA recipients to become police officers
They’re handing weapons to people to enforce the law who are not even allowed to carry
What is even happening pic.twitter.com/BHHO14uaH4
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 6, 2026
Alves argued that non-citizens already serve in the military, work as firefighters, and practice medicine. He stated that while these individuals serve as firefighters, EMTs, doctors, lawyers, or in the United States military, the old ordinance barred them from applying for Danbury police officer roles. He added that the previous rule "never made much sense to me."
Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said the department will keep its background checks and training requirements intact. According to reports, he explained that early screening already eliminates seven of every eight applicants. In 2020 the state removed its citizenship rule, then included DACA recipients in 2025. RedState reported that the vote aligns city hiring with these state standards.
Not everyone backed the change at the meeting. Residents questioned the vetting process, firearm rules, and the temporary standing of DACA protection. Border Czar Tom Homan addressed the federal focus on criminal elements during the sweeps. "We're out there to look for illegal aliens with final orders of removal, those who overstay, those who are criminals, and we're out there looking for them and arresting them," Homan said on CNN.
The city now allows two specific lawful categories to serve while excluding others.
