WEST HARTFORD DELEGATION STATEMENT ON LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER DETAINED BY ICE

[Molinaro, Rosanna]

              6/29/26                                                                                                                                                                                  Contact: Rosanna Molinaro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                            rosanna....@cga.ct.gov                                               

 

                                                                                                                           

WEST HARTFORD DELEGATION STATEMENT ON LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER DETAINED BY ICE

 

WEST HARTFORD, CT – " Once again, our state is shaken by the detention of a respected member of our community. Last weekend, West Hartford businessman and restaurateur Seyo Cecunjanin was taken into ICE custody while leaving a local coffee shop, handcuffed in front of his sons, and transported to a detention facility in Rhode Island.

As elected leaders in West Hartford, we are deeply troubled by this action and by the growing uncertainty and fear it creates for all immigrants and families across our state. Mr. Cecunjanin's detention has immediate and far-reaching consequences, not only for his wife and three sons, but also for the employees whose livelihoods depend on his businesses and the customers and neighbors who know him as a hardworking entrepreneur and community member.

Mr. Cecunjanin came to the United States nearly three decades ago after fleeing the war in Montenegro. Since then, he rebuilt a life in West Hartford, raised his family, created local jobs, and invested in our community. His restaurant is a gathering place for residents, and his businesses strengthen our local economy.

Mr. Cecunjanin has a pending application for lawful permanent residency and, by all accounts, is pursuing that process through the legal channels available to him. We collectively call for Mr. Cecunjanin's release while his immigration proceedings continue so that he can return to his family, support his employees, and continue serving the community he has called home. We also call on federal authorities to end these harmful enforcement actions that are not about the safety of our community but simply incite fear in our neighborhoods.

West Hartford is stronger because of residents like Mr. Cecunjanin, and we remain committed to doing everything we can in partnership with local and federal officials to bring Seyo home and support his family as they await his safe return."

 

 

Rep. Kate Farrar                                                                   Rep. Tammy Exum

                                

Rep. Jillian Gilchrest                                                           Rep. Jimmy Sanchez     

                                                         

Rep. Bobby Gibson                                                            Sen. Derek Slap

                                   

 

Rose Molinaro Press Aide House Democrats    210 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106  Cell: (860) 994-8594