Immigration: The Great Divide
College students from immigrant families say they're living in scary new world
From the outside, there may be nothing obviously different about college students from immigrant families since President Trump took office. But to the students, the world feels like a much different place. But to the students themselves, whether they are citizens whose parents are undocumented, naturalized citizens or those with DACA – registered under the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for those brought to this country illegally as youth – the world feels like a much different place as they keep up with classes, family, friends and breaking news about immigration crackdowns.
GALLERIES: Immigration: The Great Divide
Local Haitians worry about federal decision to end protected status in 18 months
Published December 9, 2017
An estimated 1,200 Haitians in Connecticut and nearly 60,000 nationwide are living and working in the United States under the federal designation of Temporary Protected Status.
With DACA renewal deadline past, locals look to Congress
President Donald Trump’s decision last month to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — he gave recipients until Thursday to renew their applications and called on Congress to act — turned thousands of lives upside down.
Bosnian immigrant hopes to bring Balkan wines to Connecticut
Published September 29, 2017
When people think of regions that produce superlative wines, what comes to mind is often France, Italy, Australia, Argentina and Napa Valley. When people think of common wine varieties, they may land on sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir.
Giant photo of toddler peers over U.S.-Mexico border wall
Published September 8, 2017
A photo of a giant toddler stands in Mexico and peers over a steel wall dividing the country from the U.S.
Region's 'Dreamers' face uncertain future without DACA
On Tuesday, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Trump administration’s decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the future became less clear for thousands of participants.
MORE STORIES: Immigration: The Great Divide
Trump's DACA plan would pass hot potato to Congress
Published September 4, 2017
Some top Republicans are embracing a plan President Donald Trump is expected to announce Tuesday for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, while others are denouncing it as the beginning of a "civil war" within the party.
A back road to hope: U.S. immigrants stream over into Canada
Published August 9, 2017
They have come from all over the United States, piling out of taxis, pushing strollers and pulling luggage, to the end of a country road in the north woods.
'We grew up fighting': CT correction officer was political prisoner in Pakistan
Published August 4, 2017
In his youth, Mansoor Hussain Laghari often visited his father, a Pakistani political activist, in prison. He later was jailed himself for political offenses. Now he's an officer working at the Radgowski Correctional Institution.
Congressional delegation says 10,000 Connecticut DACA students at risk
Connecticut's congressional delegation is urging the Secretary of Homeland Security to legally defend a program giving temporary status to young immigrants who are in the country illegally.
Two informational forums planned for New London area immigrants
Immigration attorney Marcy S. Levine will be discussing legal options for non-citizens at forums at Centro de la Comunidad in New London on July 24 and 29.
Pathways: The road to lawful residency in the U.S.
Published July 12, 2017
There are many pathways people can take to legally land in the United States. This series explores the most popular ways through the stories of immigrants who live and work or study in our communities.
More court challenges expected for Trump's new travel ban
Published June 30, 2017
A scaled-back version of President Donald Trump's travel ban is now in force, stripped of provisions that brought protests and chaos at airports worldwide in January yet still likely to generate a new round of court fights.
Long road to legal status for Peruvian immigrant
Published June 29, 2017
Lizbeth Polo-Smith applied for legal status unsuccessfully over the years, but kept hoping she would find a way. She told her children, "This is a country of laws, and laws must be followed."
Norwich welcomes visitors in 7 languages
Two new welcome signs have been posted at key gateways to the city, greeting drivers in seven different languages, an idea put forward by resident and business owner Swaranjit Singh Khalsa and approved by city leaders.
ISAAC school partners with nonprofit to highlight area immigrants
Published June 16, 2017
New London's Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication has joined forces with a local nonprofit immigration law center to help students make an impact on the community.
Chief justice seeks 'sensitive locations' designation for Connecticut courts
Federal agents have detained at least eight people at Connecticut courthouses this year, according to a public defender who is tracking the incidents. Numbers from previous years were unavailable.
74 get citizenship at Mystic naturalization ceremony
Published June 14, 2017
A few short feet from the shore of the Mystic River, 74 people from 32 countries were granted citizenship Wednesday morning at Mystic Seaport.
Williams School senior, a Peru native, embodies 'quiet strength'
Published May 24, 2017
If you came across a quiet, pensive Antonella Portugal, it wouldn’t be unusual.
Resettlement agency works to shine light on refugee vetting process
Published May 13, 2017
The head of an agency that resettles refugees in Connecticut is holding workshops across the state to help people better understand how they are vetted before they arrive in the United States.
'Welcoming community' question won't appear on Ledyard ballot
A question asking whether the town should declare itself a welcoming community for immigrants and refugees will not appear on the May referendum ballot, after the town attorney ruled the petition's signatures were gathered incorrectly and the declaration exceeded the town's authority.
May Day demonstration in New London calls for support of oppressed groups
Published May 1, 2017
Activists at a May Day demonstration at Parade Plaza Monday evening rallied for the rights of workers, undocumented immigrants and refugees and called for solidarity among oppressed groups.
Activists planning May Day demonstration in New London
A coalition of activists plans to hold a political demonstration from 5 to 7 p.m. May 1 in support of Black Lives Matter and immigrant, women's, LGBTQ and workers' rights.
Critical care: Foreign-born doctors play key role in U.S.
Published April 22, 2017
Nationwide, about one in four physicians graduated from a foreign medical school, then came to this country for residency or fellowship training and stayed, according to the American Academy of Medical Colleges. In Connecticut, the percentage is even greater: nearly 30 percent.
New London Adult Ed helping immigrants become productive citizens
Published April 14, 2017
New London Adult Education Executive Director Maria Pukas said the English for speakers of other languages offerings have grown over the past several years to meet the need and extra classes have been added despite a steady drop in state funding.
Conn College student shares hidden story of Afghan rugs
Published April 14, 2017
Many people gaze upon Afghan rugs and are stunned by their beauty. For 21-year-old Afghanistan native Wali Hairan, a Connecticut College student, the rugs conjure an entirely different feeling.
Petition asks Ledyard residents to support 'welcoming community' resolution
A petition circulating in town is asking residents whether they would like to affirm that the town is welcoming to immigrants and refugees.
Casey's law revived for new Congress consideration
The Remedies for Refusal of Repatriation Act is known locally as "Casey's Law" for 25-year-old Casey Chadwick of Norwich, who was stabbed to death in June 2015 by a Haitian national who should have been deported after an earlier conviction for attempted murder.
Judge orders New London man out of country after string of arrests
The latest statistics available show that in 2015, immigration judges ordered the removal or deportation of 88,000 noncitizens of the United States.
What is a sanctuary city? Not us, local officials say, despite symbolic support for immigrants
Published March 11, 2017
The term "sanctuary city" has no legal meaning, but is generally used to describe places where police do not enforce immigration law and do not actively cooperate with immigration officials investigating noncriminal violations of immigration law.
Efforts by local groups to welcome refugees on hold due to travel ban
Chris George, executive director of New Haven-based Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, or IRIS, said the travel ban will stymie work by his organization and the host of volunteer groups helping to settle families.
Immigration: The Great Divide VIDEOS
OPINION
Malloy's right, no state duty to back Trump policy
Connecticut is not required to use its resources to support a move by the president to pursue a wrongheaded policy.