West Hartford restaurant owner detained by ICE, released after congressional pressure
Jul 3, 2026·Location: West Hartford, CT
Country of origin: Montenegro

Seyo Cecunjanin, a West Hartford restaurant and laundry business owner from Montenegro, was arrested by ICE on June 20, 2026, in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot surrounded by five unmarked vehicles while with two of his sons. He was detained at Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island for approximately 12 days. Cecunjanin entered the U.S. in 1997 using a fraudulent passport and had an outstanding removal order, but had been permitted to reenter in 2024 and maintained valid work authorization at the time of his arrest. He owns two restaurants and a laundry business employing 15 people and has a pending permanent resident application filed in September 2023. U.S. Rep. John Larson and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, along with other members of Connecticut's congressional delegation, held a press conference and sent letters to ICE demanding his release, citing his valid work authorization and pending immigration case. Cecunjanin was released on June 26, 2026 (or July 2, 2026 according to another account).
Timeline
Sources
- ctmirror.org
- Community Rallies for West Hartford Resident, Business Owner Taken Into ICE Custody | CT News Junkie
ctnewsjunkie.com·Jun 30, 2026·archived copy
- Son calls for ICE to release West Hartford restaurant owner detained in Dunkin' parking lot — Spot On Connecticut
- Lawmakers seek answers after West Hartford restaurant owner is detained by ICE
nbcconnecticut.com·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- WTNH
- West Hartford business owner detained by ICE, elected officials call for his release
WFSB·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- Community Rallies for West Hartford Resident, Business Owner Taken into ICE Custody - We-Ha | West Hartford News
we-ha.com·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- Son calls for ICE to release West Hartford restaurant owner detained in Dunkin' parking lot
ctinsider.com·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
stamfordadvocate.com·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- ICE releases W. Hartford restaurant owner after 12 days in custody
ctmirror.org·Jul 3, 2026·archived copy
- CT Delegation Demands ICE Release Detained West Hartford Business Owner
patch.com·Jul 2, 2026·archived copy
- WTNH
- West Hartford businessman detained by ICE released, Larson and Blumenthal say
stamfordadvocate.com·Jul 3, 2026·archived copy
- Prominent West Hartford Businessman 'Abducted' By ICE: Officials; Outrage Expressed: UPDATE
patch.com·Jun 29, 2026·archived copy
- MSN
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