Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 8/1/2025-8/8/2025

[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) traveled to Plymouth, Massachusetts to visit Zia S., an Afghan interpreter who was arrested by masked ICE Agents after a routine biometrics appointment for his Green Card. Zia worked as a translator and cultural advisor contractor for American forces at Camp Mike Spann in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. His youngest brother was also an interpreter, marking their family as pro-American and a target of violent retaliation by the Taliban. Zia has no criminal history and traveled to the United States using an approved humanitarian parole visa and travel documents issued by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. He has received Chief of Mission approval in his Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) case and has a pending Green Card application. Zia is the father of five young children and the family breadwinner. His detention by ICE has left his family without their main source of income.

On July 16, he was seized by masked ICE agents outside a USCIS service center in East Hartford, Connecticut, where he had his biometrics taken as the first step in the processing of his Green Card application. In ICE detention in Massachusetts, Zia was immediately issued an Order of Expedited Removal based on the false claim that he entered the U.S. illegally and without documents. A Federal judge has temporarily stayed Zia’s removal.

“He is happy to be in America, and he wants to stay here, and he deserves to stay here because this country promised him he could come here when he put his life on the line as an interpreter for our troops in Afghanistan,” said Blumenthal. “The sadness in his eyes will haunt me. The only reason he is in that prison is because ICE has to make a quota. That is the only reason he is locked up away from his family, away from his community.”

Blumenthal further highlighted his visit with Zia and his commitment to fighting for his release on Twitter/X.

“I just visited with Afghan refugee Zia S. who is imprisoned in Plymouth MA unlawfully & unconscionably. He served our nation, putting his life on the line as an interpreter for our troops. He was seized by masked ICE agents with no reason. I will fight for his release,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal joined CNN’s Jake Tapper, slamming ICE’s detention of Zia.

Along with his visit to Zia, Blumenthal joined his colleagues in introducing the Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide a clear pathway for wartime Afghan allies who were evacuated by the U.S. government during the 2021 withdrawal to receive lasting protection in the United States.

“Our Afghan allies who aided and protected our troops during the conflict in Afghanistan deserve our unwavering protection. Unfortunately, this Administration is punishing and persecuting law-abiding wartime allies like Zia, an Afghan interpreter who was detained by ICE at his routine biometrics appointment in Connecticut. A clear pathway to permanent legal status is long overdue for these allies who put their lives on the line for our service members. I’ll continue to fight for Zia, along with the rest of our allies, and passing this bipartisan legislation is a critical step,” said Blumenthal.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Demanding Guardrails for Artificial Intelligence

Blumenthal announced new legislation to protect American consumers from the pitfalls of AI and establish enforceable penalties when Big Tech companies exploit personal data or steal copyrighted materials. As advances in AI move at a breathtaking speed, consumers need assurances that their data and intellectual property will be safeguarded. Blumenthal’s bill provides serious safeguards and accountabilities for bad actors who use AI.

“AI has tremendous promise but also huge pitfalls. The dangers need to be addressed, because if not, the promise will be outdone by the pitfalls. And so, we are working on a bipartisan basis in the Congress to develop standards and approaches, remedies and rights, that will give people control over their data and protect privacy and creation of new works,” said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal further highlighted the need for his legislation bolstering safeguards against the harmful misuse of AI on Twitter/X.

“AI has promise but also huge pitfalls. The blunt truth is Big Tech is robbing artists, scientists & consumers’ data & work to train their AI models—without consent & free of charge. My AI Accountability & Personal Data Protection Act would provide rights & remedies,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Battling the Housing Crisis & Promoting Housing Rights

Blumenthal joined Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-CT) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) to discuss the harmful impacts of a recent executive order from President Trump criminalizing homelessness and directing states to remove people from the streets, possibly by committing them for mental health or drug treatment without their consent.

“This executive order is not law. It’s an edict from a lawless president,” Blumenthal said. “At this moment silence is complicity. We need everyone to stand up and speak out. We need to be prepared for this fight. All of us need to be in it. We are at a moment of supreme crisis. Not just in housing. In so many different areas of our life where the rule of law is at stake and democracy is at risk.”

Blumenthal further called out President Trump for this deleterious executive order on Twitter/X.

“Trump's executive order to criminalize homelessness is a cruel, calculated attack on our country's most vulnerable. I’m committed to every family having the dignity of a safe home & support to thrive, not just survive,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal joined community members and staff of Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS) at a ribbon cutting celebrating the historic renovation of 470 Howard Avenue, now owned by first-time homeowner Ashley Bailey. NHS of New Haven is committed to increasing homeownership by revitalizing neighborhoods and undertaking new construction to increase the supply of owner-occupied housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income families.

“Congrats to Ashley Bailey & Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven on the restoration of this beautiful home. At a time when CT is in desperate need of housing, NHS is strengthening communities & empowering families by promoting affordable homeownership,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Calling for Funding to Replace Toxic Lead Service Lines

Blumenthal joined state and local officials to call on Congressional Republicans to fully fund the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) instead of making drastic cuts that would imperil Connecticut’s efforts to identify and replace thousands of toxic lead service lines still in use. Following a CT Mirror Investigation into the prevalence of lead service lines, Blumenthal is writing to Senate leadership calling attention to the issue and demanding that millions of dollars be allocated within the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for remediation of the problem.

“Lead is a killer. Lead cripples children educationally and vocationally, and sometimes physically,” said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal further highlighted the need for funding to provide clean water for Connecticut families on Twitter/X.

“Lead is a poison that can do irreversible damage—& it's entirely preventable. As many CT homes use lead pipes, we must fight back against the Trump Admin’s attacks on clean water initiatives,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal Bulletin

Blumenthal called for passage of his hard-hitting Russia Sanctions bill.

Blumenthal applauded Senate passage of his bill naming West Haven VA Medical Center after U.S. Army Captain Paul “Bud” Bucha.

Blumenthal denounced the Trump Administration’s move to strip mission-critical VA employees of their union bargaining rights.

Blumenthal joined CNN’s Kate Bolduan calling for hard-hitting sanctions on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Blumenthal highlighted the need for his Russian Sanctions bill to stop Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

Blumenthal slammed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s canceling of mRNA contracts—crippling potentially lifesaving research.

Blumenthal called out the FBI’s ongoing political purges and retaliation.

Blumenthal attended Meriden’s National Night Out and visited with Former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati.

Blumenthal attended Hamden’s National Night Out and visited with Hamden’s new Fire Chief Shelly Carter.

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