MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont authorities say they are not aware of any immigration enforcement efforts taking place on farms or workplaces in the state.
The Trump administration this week launched deportation efforts in Chicago and other cities to deport people in the country illegally and cut funding to organizations that serve new Americans.
Some of those kinds of organizations in Vermont say the president’s actions have ground their operations to a halt and already prevented the process of many people legally seeking asylum.
Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy prevents local law enforcement from working with federal immigration officials.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark says she doesn’t believe the policy puts Vermont at risk of retaliation from the federal government. “Our local and state law enforcement is designed to protect public safety that is their focus. immigration authorities focus on immigration that’s a federal issue. but local and state law enforcement should be focused on keeping the public safe,” she said.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott says his administration will react to the impacts of executive orders or potential cuts in federal funding if and when they arise.