Immigration groups protested outside the Bridgeport courthouse and several others across the state Tuesday demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement stay away.

Protests were organized by Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance. Among the group’s demands is a judicial branch policy that prohibits ICE presence less than 500 feet away from a Connecticut courthouse.

"Bridgeport has been one of the courthouses around the city that has had the most ICE presence. We got a report from a criminal defense attorney a few months ago saying that someone had been pepper-sprayed and dragged out of the Bridgeport courthouse and we can't just have that," a protester told News 12.

Another protester said they're calling on Chief Court Administrator Patrick Carol to enact a policy that would restrict ICE from coming in and making arrests in state courthouses unless there's a judicial warrant.

Sonia Hernandez, a Bridgeport resident, says incidents she's seen with ICE makes her feel like a criminal. 

"We need the mayor to stand up and protect our immigrant families so they can feel safe," she said.

Protesters also gathered outside a the courthouse in Meriden, where they say immigrants were dragged and stun guns were used on children. There was also a protest in Stamford.

Protesters say they will hold demonstrations around the state until they feel they have gotten their message across.