Press Releases
11/27/2019
Governor Lamont Applauds Release of Connecticut Resident Wayzaro Walton From Federal Detention
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding the news that Wayzaro Walton, a Connecticut mother who has legally lived in the United States since the age of four, was released from federal detention and reunited with her family on Wednesday afternoon.
Governor Lamont has been advocating on Walton’s behalf since March, when federal officials detained and planned to deport her based on her conviction several years ago of two nonviolent offenses, despite the fact that he had been granted full pardons by the State of Connecticut.
“For nearly an entire year, Wayzaro – a legal United States resident – has been held in federal custody, away from her family for no good reason and it is about time that she was released and reunited with her loved ones,” Governor Lamont said. “Human decency has prevailed. I’m glad that she will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with her loved ones.”
The governor is thankful to Attorney General William Tong, in addition to the following organizations for their unified efforts advocating on Walton’s behalf: ACLU of Connecticut, ACLU of Massachusetts, Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, Hartford Deportation Defense, Immigrant Bail Fund, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Connecticut Equality, and Moral Monday.
Walton, 35, has lived legally in the U.S. for most of her life. Her mother obtained legal permanent resident status for her when she brought her to the U.S. from England at the age of four in the 1980s. She later went on to marry a U.S. citizen and has a minor child, who is also a U.S. citizen.
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