Concerns in migrant community as ICE raids happen

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Though state police tell us they haven’t heard of any federal immigration raids in Vermont, advocates say otherwise.

Officials with the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project confirm U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and arrests in the Green Mountain State.

The organization’s executive director, Jill Martin Diaz, says though it’s a confusing time for people seeking asylum, pathways to legal immigration are still available.

“I think my message to everyone is that there continues to be a Constitution that limits law enforcement’s ability to intrude on our privacy to enforce laws, including immigration laws. And that has not changed. The federal law has changed slightly with the passage of the Laken Riley Act, but there continues to be pathways to immigration status and we are filing cases,” Martin Diaz said.

The organization set up an ICE raid tracker where people can anonymously report sightings of immigration enforcement activity.

Watch the video to see our Ike Bendavid’s full conversation with Jill Martin Diaz.