A woman says she spoke briefly with her husband who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday morning in Stamford.
"He didn't say much. I don't know if it's because he doesn't want me to worry about it or I'm not sure."
According to the woman who did not want to be identified, Fidel Romero has no criminal record and is the father of three children.
Her employer Chloe Layman, said the detention reflects a growing concern among residents about immigration enforcement activity in the area.
"I think there's a kind of like naivete. You live in a blue state and you think these things aren't going to happen. That it's a horrifying news story you're going to read in the news from several time zones away," Layman said.
The detention comes amid what residents and activists described as an increase in ICE activity across Fairfield County this week.
In Danbury, an estimated 50 people have been taken into custody this week, according to community activists.
"A part of the reason why they're having this uptick right now is because school is starting and parents are letting their kids back in and to make the community and the people feel unsafe," said "Julio" of Danbury Unites for Immigrants.
Gov. Ned Lamont and other elected officials have pledged support for immigrants, reminding community members of their rights and of limits on ICE access to private property.
Activists said they plan to continue monitoring enforcement activity and notifying residents.
"We believe in justice. We believe in the rule of law. We believe in human rights and constitution rights. And none of those things are being followed by ICE at the moment," community activist Margaret Henderson said.
Community activist Fran O'Rourke added: "They're not here to protect our community. They're making it unsafe. And that's why we're here."
In a statement, an ICE spokesperson said: "For operational security and the safety of our officers, ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations. Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country including in Connecticut."
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