Norwich: An Indian-origin mayor in the US has created a flutter by publicly taking on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and criticising federal immigration enforcement operations in his city.
Swarnjit Singh, the mayor of Norwich, Connecticut, has declared that he will “always support the immigrant community” and urged ICE to “go home”.
Singh, the city’s first Sikh mayor, made the remarks in a detailed statement on social media amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration.
His administration would not assist ICE operations, he said, reaffirming Norwich’s commitment to being a welcoming community for immigrants.
Singh, in his statement, said he stood firmly with Norwich’s immigrant community and argued that immigration enforcement actions were creating fear among residents, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“ICE, go home,” the mayor wrote and said Norwich is a city built by people from diverse backgrounds, stressing that every resident deserves to feel safe and respected regardless of their immigration status.
Singh said that local officials should focus on serving their communities rather than participating in federal immigration enforcement, making it clear that the city government would not assist ICE with its operations.
While many praised the mayor on social media for taking a public stand on behalf of immigrants, his statement did not go down well with those supporting the laws against immigration.
Some users accused him of undermining federal immigration law and suggested that Singh himself be deported despite his elected position.
Singh is among a growing number of Indian-Americans serving in elected offices across the United States.
While immigration enforcement remains a federal responsibility, several cities and local governments have adopted policies limiting their cooperation with ICE, arguing that such measures help build trust between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities.
The backlash will not change his position, Singh has indicated, reiterating his commitment to Norwich’s diverse population. He said he would continue to support immigrants and ensure that the city remains welcoming to people from all backgrounds, even as the debate over immigration enforcement continues to intensify across the US.
