That is the new reality in Danbury, Connecticut. The city council voted 18-2 to let permanent legal residents and DACA recipients serve as officers. This happened on September 6, 2026, right after a week of federal immigration sweeps. The change does not apply to all non-citizens, just those two specific groups. It matches a state rule dropped in 2020 and updated in 2025. The city now allows people without citizenship to enforce the law on your street.
Mayor Roberto Alves defended the move as fixing an old gap in the rules. He noted that these residents can already serve in the military or work as doctors. Yet under the old law, they could not apply to be police officers. He said, “That never made much sense to me.”
The vote sends a specific message to the immigrant community. Council member Joe Britton said, “It’s legal. It’s allowed. It’s been recommended.” Our immigrant community in Danbury receives a welcoming message through this vote, which I deem timely. This timing follows a week where federal agents made over 60 arrests in the region.
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
Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour insists that the screening process remains strict. He told reporters that background checks and training requirements are fully intact. The department already rejects seven out of every eight applicants early on. Nearly 3,000 DACA recipients live in Connecticut, with an average age of 32. Some residents at the meeting worried about the vetting process and firearm rules. They also questioned the temporary nature of DACA protection. The Daily Caller reported these concerns were raised directly by neighbors during the session.
Not everyone agrees this is a good idea. RedState noted that critics worry about loyalty to the nation. One argument suggests that just living here does not mean you understand the Constitution. The United States relies on laws, not just feelings of welcome.
Border Czar Tom Homan clarified federal goals during this same time. “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,” he stated. This creates a clear contrast between local hiring and federal enforcement.
Danbury, Connecticut, approved non-citizen legal residents and DACA recipients to serve as police officers in an 18-2 vote following a week of ICE operations that resulted in more than 60 arrests. pic.twitter.com/4qx2nN2SDu
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) September 4, 2026
The standards are not being lowered, according to reports. He said, “The standards are not being lowered.” However, the question of ultimate loyalty remains for many voters. According to reports, the vote aimed to remove an unnecessary barrier for qualified people.
He added that “(This) vote was about removing an unnecessary barrier for qualified people who already call Danbury home and want to serve their community” Yet the debate continues over who should hold a gun and a badge.
Families grew wary of leaving home, causing school attendance to drop by about 700 students. This shows the tension in the air during the week of the vote. Among the approximately 100 individuals detained, officials calculated that merely six or seven possessed criminal records.
