Sead “Seyo” Cecunjanin, a West Hartford restaurant and dry‑cleaning owner, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 20, 2026, outside a local Dunkin’ Donuts.
Cecunjanin entered the United States illegally in 1997 using a forged Dutch passport. A federal immigration judge issued a final removal order that same year. He had a prior DUI conviction and reportedly left the country in 2024, only to return during the current administration despite the removal order.
On September 27, 2018, Cecunjanin submitted a voter registration application in Connecticut, affirming U.S. citizenship and listing his West Hartford address. The form carried a warning that knowingly making a false citizenship claim is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The application was processed the same day, and the registration card indicates that Cecunjanin was an active, registered voter in West Hartford. He could have participated in any election from 2018 through 2023.
In mid‑July, the town’s registrar office filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain details about the registration. The response included the registration card and related documentation.
The card shows that a DMV request was received on September 27, 2018, and entered into the voter registration system the following day by a user named “ROUSSEAU.”
These records confirm that Cecunjanin misrepresented his citizenship status to obtain a driver’s license and to register to vote.
The case illustrates how an illegal alien was registered to vote through a DMV‑initiated request, raising concerns about the integrity of the registration process.
Political leaders in the area reacted strongly to the ICE detention. Some officials described the agency’s action as overreach and expressed concern for the individual’s treatment.
Other representatives defended Cecunjanin, citing community support and claims of injustice in the enforcement of immigration laws.
The incident highlights the need for robust checks in voter registration to prevent fraud and ensure compliance with federal immigration regulations.
Ongoing scrutiny of the registration system may lead to reforms aimed at safeguarding the electoral process and maintaining public trust.
