Connecticut is cracking down on immigration enforcement around courthouses.

On Thursday evening, state lawmakers approved a ban on most arrests in – and around – court buildings. The new law also prohibits law enforcement from wearing face coverings except for medical reasons.

Violators could face fines and even jail time.

But critics think the new law is unenforceable.

Advocates for immigrants pushed for legislative action after federal agents swarmed the Stamford Superior Court parking garage on Oct. 27.

“Woosh! In seconds, there were five cars surrounding this man and his wife in a car,” said Lizzie Eifler, with Stamford Norwalk United For Immigrants.

The video appears to show four officers, three of whom are wearing FBI vests, apprehending the man on the ground as he cries out for help.

In one clip shared on Facebook, an agent shouts to a woman, “You're f***ing next. Shut your mouth.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that two “criminal illegal aliens” were arrested that day, including a Guatemalan native facing misdemeanor charges of sexually assaulting a teenager in Greenwich.

At the state Capitol, protesters demanded action this week.

"To stop them being rounded up at schools, courthouses,” said Ramon Garcia, of New Britain. “It’s traumatizing. I’ve actually had some coworkers who were rounded up on their way to court.”

Lawmakers listened, voting to ban arrests anywhere on courthouse grounds – including nearby sidewalks – unless officers have a criminal warrant signed by a judge. The warrant must be presented to a state judicial marshal before an arrest is made.

“We’ve seen ICE who are masked just take people away, and that flies in the face of everything that is American,” said state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk).

The new law does not apply to suspects already convicted of serious felonies, including manslaughter and sexual assault, or those on a terrorism watch list.

Violations could face up to a $100 fine and six months in jail.

“The judge could actually hold someone in contempt,” said state Rep. Steve Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. “No different than now, if you or I walked into a court proceeding and caused a large ruckus.”

Violators could also face civil lawsuits for damages, but Judicial Branch employees are exempt.

Face coverings will also be prohibited, unless federal agents present judicial marshals with a medical reason.

“I don’t want ICE agents walking around our courthouses wearing a mask,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “I don’t want them trying to arrest people with a [civil] detainer."

There are new privacy protections, too.

State agencies, local governments, school districts and courts cannot share your home address, where you work or school and hearing dates and appointments.

“We know the state, and we know our local government, have a lot of personally identifying data about us,” said Stafstrom. “Particularly location data – where someone is, when someone may have an appointment with a state agency.”

Critics said the new law will endanger public safety.

“You’re protecting criminals,” said state Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield), the top Republican in the Connecticut Senate. “In many cases, the individuals that are going to the courthouse are facing charges – in some cases, violent crimes.”

Republicans also argued that the law will have little impact.

“We’re going to pass legislation that is largely unenforceable. It is going to cause confusion in courthouses,” said Connecticut House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford). “I don’t think the marshals are going to be wanting to even enforce it.”

The new law replaces an existing policy announced in September. It takes effect as soon as Lamont signs it.

News 12 Connecticut reached out to ICE for comment. The agency has not responded yet.