Recent events across the country have raised serious questions about due process, civil liberties, and the proper limits of government power.

In January 2026, the Libertarian Party of Connecticut adopted a resolution reaffirming a core principle: government authority must always be constrained by the Constitution, the rule of law, and individual rights—regardless of which party is in power.

Read the full resolution (PDF)

This post explains what the resolution says, why it matters, and how it offers a principled alternative to the failures of the two-party system.

TL;DR — What this resolution says

Enforcement must always follow the U.S. Constitution, state and federal law, and basic due process protections.

We reject both failures of the two-party system: lawless border policy on one side and unaccountable enforcement that ignores civil liberties on the other.

This resolution reaffirms that government power—especially when emotions are high—must be constrained by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the rule of law.

Read below for the full explanation, Connecticut context, constitutional references, and the adopted resolution.

Document: Read the Resolution (PDF)

Resolution on Due Process, Civil Liberties, and the Rule of Law (January 2026)

Connecticut voters are understandably frustrated. The dominant two-party system has delivered high emotion, low trust, and inconsistent standards—depending on who holds power. One side has tolerated disorder at the border; the other has responded with aggressive enforcement tactics and shortcuts that raise serious civil-liberties concerns.

Libertarians reject both failures. We are not “open border.” We support a secure, lawful immigration system that respects the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike—and we oppose any enforcement that bypasses constitutional limits or treats due process as optional.

What this resolution stands for

  • Due process is non-negotiable. Government must follow lawful procedures before depriving any person of life, liberty, or property.
  • Rights do not depend on politics. Civil liberties apply even when emotions are high or enforcement is politically popular.
  • Accountability is mandatory. Government power must be transparent, reviewable, and constrained at every level.

Connecticut context: why this matters here

Enforcement and due process questions are not abstract in Connecticut. Recent reporting using ICE administrative arrest data indicates that immigration arrests in Connecticut increased sharply in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.[5] Connecticut also has a state “TRUST Act” framework that limits when local/state law enforcement may hold people on federal civil immigration detainers—making clear rules, transparency, and due process even more important when agencies coordinate across jurisdictions.[6]

Our position is straightforward: illegal immigration should be addressed through lawful processes. That means secure borders, clear statutes, warrants where required, access to counsel where applicable, and procedures that can be reviewed by courts and the public—not ad hoc, unaccountable actions.

Why the Constitution matters

The Constitution and Bill of Rights exist precisely to restrain government during moments of fear, anger, or political pressure. These protections are not technicalities—they are safeguards against abuse of power.

The Fifth Amendment explicitly prohibits deprivation of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”[1] The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.[2] The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the right to petition government for redress of grievances.[3] The Sixth Amendment guarantees core criminal procedure rights, including the right to counsel and a fair trial.[4]

What Connecticut voters should demand

  • Clear written standards for any cooperation between state/local agencies and federal immigration enforcement.
  • Public reporting (aggregated and privacy-respecting) on detainers, transfers, arrests, and outcomes—so voters can see what is happening.
  • No shortcut enforcement that bypasses courts, warrants, or due process protections.
  • Equal application of the law regardless of party, ideology, or political climate.

If government can ignore constitutional limits when emotions are high, it can ignore them at any time. This resolution is a statement of principle: Connecticut deserves lawfulness, accountability, and civil liberties—without partisan double standards.

Footnotes (Constitutional text & Connecticut sources)

  1. U.S. Const. amend. V (“…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”). Congress.gov
  2. U.S. Const. amend. IV. Congress.gov
  3. U.S. Const. amend. I. Congress.gov
  4. U.S. Const. amend. VI. Congress.gov
  5. Connecticut ICE arrest increase (reporting based on ICE administrative arrest data). CT Mirror
  6. Connecticut “TRUST Act” overview and state limits on honoring ICE detainers. CT Insider
  7. ICE data documentation used by researchers/journalists (administrative arrests, detainers, detentions, removals). Deportation Data Project

Download: Full Resolution (PDF)