immigrant rights
Council Fills Ward 3 Vacancy…City Backs Immigrant Rights…Events Mark Black History Month
News briefs for week ending February 14, 2026 By NB Politicus Council fills Ward 3 vacancy Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New Britain Council succeeding State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) who was elected to the state House of Representatives in a January 6 special election. The Common […]
Council Democrats Propose Resolution Affirming Commitment to City Services for All Residents, Including Immigrants
Against the backdrop of the aggressive immigration policies of the Trump administration, the New Britain Democratic members of the City Council have proposed a resolution affirming the City’s, “commitment to the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all residents.” In its resolution, the Council Democrats express that, in the community, “concerns related to federal immigration […]
Sen Lopes Praises Approval of Legislation Countering Trump Cuts, Creating Housing and Opposing ICE Abuses
Sen Rick Lopes (D-6) applauded final approval of state legislation to protect Connecticut residents from budget cuts made by Republican President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, legislation to extend protection to Connecticut residents from ICE abductions at courthouses and legislation to build more housing in the state. Editor’s note: The cover photo is by […]
Superintendent Discusses Approach in Case ICE Attempts Detaining Students in Schools
New Britain school Superintendent Tony Gaspar met this week with members of the Community Task Force, led by Pastor Gervais Barger of Peace Missionary Ministries, assuring them that ICE agents have not attempted to detain students in New Britain schools and describing the school district’s plans if it did attempt to do so. “There have […]
Local Attorney Reports Aggressive Immigration Capture in New Britain for Tourist Overstay
Prominent local attorney and community leader, Adrian Baron, reported on social media today that federal agents in New Britain stopped his car and removed a client who had been working to adjust his tourist visa status. “I was giving my client a ride home after court,” said Baron, noting that, “He was not convicted of […]
Know Your Rights Presentation for Immigrants Hosted by Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut and New Britain Public Library
The Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut and New Britain Public Library are hosting a, “Know Your Rights presentation for immigrants and those who support immigrants.” The event is to be Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the Library Community Room. The Library says that, The presentation, given by Attorney Jennifer Antognini-O’Neill of […]
Walking for Dreamers and Immigrants
By Debra Cohen In January 2018, Alan Dornan, an elderly resident of Wethersfield CT, began to walk in his neighborhood in support of our nation’s DREAMERS, the young people who arrived in the United States as children with their families who lacked documentation. He has continued to do so every day since. It was Alan’s […]
Home at Last
After seven months of sanctuary at a church in Old Lyme, Malik bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf returned to New Britain on October 16th.
Pizzeria Owners Return from Sanctuary
It was a New Britain community celebration as the city residents who own the Pizza Corner restaurant returned from the church sanctuary they had taken while they faced deportation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a festive celebration on October 18th at Pizza Corner with the family, Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Terry […]
New Britain Residents Join Rally Opposing Trump Child Separations
New Britain residents joined in a rally on June 21, 2018 in opposition to the actions of Republican President Donald Trump in which children have been taken from their parents at the U.S. border. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) invited people, “to a rally demanding [an] end to inhumane separation of […]
“A Place at the Table” Fundraiser to Help Two New Britain Immigrant Families
There will be a “A Place at the Table” fundraiser on May 20, 2018 to aid two families, one who are facing deportation. The event is being held by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) People Power-New Britain and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Both of the families that the organizations are working to help are longtime residents […]
“Know Your Rights” Forum on Immigration Apr 5th
United Action Connecticut will hold a, “Know Your Rights,” Forum in New Britain on immigration. The Forum will be on April 5, 2018. United Action says, “Come to this informative meeting to find out about immigration updates and what rights you have as an immigrant even if you are undocumented.” The Forum will take place at […]
Sen. Blumenthal, City Council Members Support Business of Family in Sanctuary from Deportation
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ald. Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL), the New Britain City Council’s President Pro-Tempore, and other members of the Council gathered with other community members to encourage people to buy from the business of a New Britain family facing deportation who have been given sanctuary at an Old Lyme church. On March 30, 2018, Blumenthal […]
Sen. Blumenthal Visits New Britain Family Facing Deportation Taking Sanctuary in Old Lyme Church
Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf, to show support for the New Britain family and community business owners facing deportation who have been given sanctuary at an Old Lyme church. When Sen. Blumenthal visited the couple, on March 25, 2018, he said that, “I am here, today, to renew my […]
City Council Unanimously Opposes Deportation of New Britain Family
The City Council’s leader, Ald. Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL) has announced that the City Council has not only unanimously approved a resolution opposing the deportation of Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf, but also sent a bipartisan letter to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in support of the New Britain family. The letter was signed […]
Rally and City Council Resolution Oppose Deportation of New Britain Family
A rally was held outside of City Hall to oppose the deportation of a New Britain family who are owners of the Pizza Corner restaurant on Broad Street. The rally was held amidst the late winter snow on March 14, 2018. At the City Council meeting later that evening, Ald. Brian Keith Albert (D-2) and […]
ACLU and United Action to Present “Undocumented 2018” Discussion on Jan 30th
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) People Power-New Britain and United Action Connecticut are sponsoring a public discussion, “Undocumented 2018 – What Are the Issues?”. The discussion will feature an immigration lawyer and a psychotherapist and will explore topics such as: “Who are the undocumented among us?” “Personal stories from Dreamers.” “Psychological and legal issues […]
Top 10 of 2017: #5 – Community Support for a New Britain Resident Targeted by Anti-Immigrant Agenda
Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2017. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten. Other Top Ten stories can be found at […]
Mariano Cardoso Celebrates Stay Granted on Deportation Order
New Britain resident, Mariano Cardoso, facing an imminent deportation order, celebrated with his family and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal that a last-minute stay had been granted, relieving him of the immediate threat of deportation. A gentle snowfall provided a light backdrop to an emotional gathering at the Cardoso home in New Britain. Heartfelt embraces told […]
Esty and Blumenthal Seek to Stop Deportation of New Britain’s Mariano Cardoso
New Britain’s Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent two letters to urge a stay in the deportation of longtime New Britain resident Mariano Cardoso, who is facing the threat in a time when the national government is in the grip of Republican President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant politics. In the […]