During this time of unprecedented attack on our immigrant communities, it has never become more important for state and local governments to demonstrate their solidarity with residents through unabashed support and action.

We’ve seen some strong acts of solidarity: Chicago making it so that ICE agents can be arrested over unlawful actions, Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu’s refusal to rescind Boston’s welcoming policies despite direct federal threats if she didn’t, and California’s recent signing into law a bill that protects schools and public hospitals from federal law enforcement officers, including ICE.

But while these efforts to protect immigrants blossom across the country, over here in Connecticut, one can’t help but wonder: why isn’t our leadership doing more?

One of the biggest efforts to stand with immigrant communities this past legislative session was led by a coalition seeking to modify Connecticut’s Trust Act, which outlines the extent to which local and state officials can work with the federal government to detain immigrants. After months of advocacy, rallies, petitions, and phone banking, a significant win was had: individuals can now sue over violations of the Trust Act, and there has been an expansion of which state officials are covered by the law. These are helpful and necessary additions – but to ensure the safety and security of our most vulnerable, they must go further.

I work directly with many immigrants as the leader of 32BJ SEIU in Connecticut, one of the largest majority immigrant unions in the country. Not only does our union recognize the hard work and values that immigrants bring to our country, but our membership also exemplifies those assets. Across the 12 states where our union operates, 32BJ members come from 64 countries and speak 28 different languages. Many came to the U.S. for economic opportunity, others seeking safety for themselves and their families.

Their stories reflect my own – when I immigrated from Jamaica to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue my degree at Smith College, I brought with me my dreams and hopes of a better future. It is now my honor to work with the most vulnerable in our society to build their power, so they can forge a future where their children can succeed.

However, for many of our members, these dreams have been abruptly placed on pause as seizures by ICE agents have increased in Connecticut. Immigrants of all statuses now live in fear of their loved ones being snatched off the streets, or of being taken themselves. Raids at everyday locations, like car washes in Hamden, Newington, and Southington, have had a chilling impact, with many immigrants now withdrawing behind locked doors, unsure of who to trust.

We’re aware that the federal administration’s aggressive targeting of immigrants hinders the willingness of all immigrant workers — no matter their status — to report any mistreatment at work they’re facing. According to the Economic Policy Institute, workers born outside of the United States are more likely to experience minimum wage violations than their native counterparts. How likely is it that workers are going to come forward knowing the federal administration is targeting them more aggressively?

While we applaud the legislature and governor’s efforts this year to strengthen protections for immigrants, for this upcoming special session, Connecticut must do more, including:

• Protecting personal information held by state agencies from federal government
• Prohibiting the use of state resources for immigration enforcement
• Protecting and guaranteeing Medicaid coverage regardless of immigration status

These additional provisions aren’t excessive – they’re essential to safeguarding immigrants in Connecticut. This administration has shown no limits in its determination to prioritize detention and deportation over the right to basic survival, as evidenced by the handing over of 79 million Medicaid recipients’ personal data to ICE, cutting or refusing to fully fund social services like SNAP while allocating billions to ICE, and drawing new restrictions around Medicaid that prevents many immigrants from having coverage. The more time that passes, the more time ICE has to further sow fear and anxiety in our communities.

We may no longer have the luxury of time, but we have the advantage of the upcoming special session. And it’s not just organizations like 32BJ, alongside our allies and partners, who are pushing for enhanced immigration protections. Unprecedented electoral wins across the country and here in Connecticut, including several flipped seats, demonstrate how people are voting for representatives that have the interests of working families and immigrants in mind. This should serve as a powerful message to our legislature here.

It’s still not too late for Connecticut to prioritize more robust, direct protections for immigrants and defend those who are very much a part of what makes Connecticut great.

Rochelle Palache is Vice President and State Director for 32BJ SEIU.