The Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus has endorsed Chris Setaro for Danbury Mayor as he looks to unseat longtime Republican Mark Boughton. 

Setaro spoke yesterday at Kennedy Park, where in 2006, police posed as an employer and lured 11 day laborers into a van and turned them over to federal immigration agents.  Setaro said Danbury's diversity is its strength, and should be embraced.  He called the roundup an unfortunate and ill-advised decision that hurt the Latino community deeply and was the subject of a civil rights lawsuit.  It was settled for $400,000. 

During the Chamber debate earlier this month, Boughton addressed the question of police working with ICE.  He says his administration has diversified the police force to better reflect the people it serves.  Boughton says the strategic partnership with ICE focused on criminal activity, resulting in 20 arrests.  That included someone with 7 DUIs, a person who sexually assaulted a minor and someone taking flying lessons at Danbury Airport.  But the program was ended and Connecticut now has a so-called TRUST Act, which dictates when police can work with ICE.

30 percent of Danbury residents are Hispanic or Latino.  13 Latino and Hispanic candidates are running for office in Danbury.