ICE Action At Middletown Courthouse Draws Ire Of Mayor

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown's mayor is up in arms over an action taken by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on Tuesday.

Simply put, he is demanding answers.

Mayor Ben Florsheim said that, on Tuesday morning, an "unmarked" black sport utility vehicle arrived at the Middletown Superior Court facility at 1 Court Street in full view of several city employees who were at the municipal building across the street from the courthouse.

The municipal staffers reported that they witnessed exiting the vehicle "a team of unknown individuals," some of whom were wearing garments identifying them as FBI agents and another wearing a vest that "simply said police" and also wearing a black bandanna covering most of his face, Florsheim said.

The group then took into custody someone who was "outside the courthouse waiting to go inside for a scheduled court date," Florsheim said.

"Middletown Police were not informed of this action in advance, but confirmed after it was reported to them that the arrest was an ICE enforcement action," the mayor said. "The city is currently in the process of seeking all relevant information about this case and I have been in touch with Senator Murphy and Attorney General Tong to determine next steps. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available."

Middletown police reiterated what the mayor said, but did add they did not receive advance notice about any federal enforcement action.

State police typically have law enforcement jurisdiction on superior courthouse property.