Migrants in Connecticut Flee Workforce Fearing Detention: 'It is Discouraging and Disruptive'

Undocumented migrants are disappearing quickly and quietly from the workforce in Connecticut, afraid of being taken by Imigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported, according to a new report. In this context, Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumental is warning the trend is a "self-inflicted wound."

From restaurants to landscaping businesses, farms and stores, migrants' sudden absence in the state workforce has been evident, though the exact number is difficult to quantify, a new report from The Miami Herald explains.

Immigrants in Connecticut own 26% of the state's business and comprise 30% of all startups, according to Art Feltman, executive director of International Hartford, a nonprofit focused on the creation of jobs in Hartford for immigrants and refugees.

State immigration advocates and lawmakers have shown concern about the direct impact of migrants' absence on the local and national economy, as well as the overall state of the immigrant community.

Leading those efforts in Connecticut is Sen. Blumenthal, who said in an interview that he is hearing from teachers, clergy, doctors and business owners about the spreading anxiety that is preventing people from moving freely and going to work. He added that he has also learned that immigrants are losing their jobs.

"A single arrest or seizure by masked, unmarked ICE agents can have ramifications far beyond that one incident in creating apprehension and anxiety because people have no certainty about where those agents may appear next," Blumenthal said. "What I sense in the business community is growing frustration and even anger about these unannounced raids that disrupt lawful retailers or car washes or all kinds of factories and other places of businesses."

"They interfere with the normal operations of their establishments. It isn't only when the raids occur. It is also the absence of workers who fear the raids and the lower productivity of people even when they are on the job. It is discouraging and disruptive," he continued.

Earlier this month, Sen. Blumenthal spearheaded legislation in Congress that would require immigration enforcement officers to "display clear visible identification during public facing enforcement actions." He was joined by Sens. Cory Booker (N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation passing, however, is an uphill battle, given that it is mostly supported by Democrats.

The Senator also said he is trying to mobilize the business community to connect with the administration and convey that its immigration crackdown "leads to a self-inflicted wound to our economy as well as struggling businesses seeking to fill jobs."

Several business owners have also expressed concern over migrants' anxieties in the state.

A business owner who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity said many of his employees are immigrants and there is a lot of anxiety about what may happen next. He said he was surprised when one of his workers was deported back to his country, especially considering he was following all the protocols to become an American citizen.