Immigrants: Conn. raid retaliation for ID cards

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN Associated Press Writer

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Ten Connecticut residents have filed a lawsuit accusing federal authorities of violating their rights by conducting an immigration raid in retaliation for a New Haven program that provided identification cards to foreigners in the country illegally.

The sweeps in New Haven on June 6, 2007, came two days after the city approved issuing ID cards to all city residents, regardless of immigration status. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials deny the early-morning raids were retaliatory, saying planning began the year before.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, cites e-mails between federal officials that the residents say show hostility to the ID card program.

A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman declined comment. A telephone message was left Wednesday with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman.