Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to federal immigration policy and the situation on the southern border. He also stated that similar action is not being undertaken at the Vermont/Canada border. He reiterated that Vermont has not been asked to send National Guardsmen to the southern border and nor does the governor intend to do so if requested.
“The recent ‘zero tolerance’ policy adopted by the Trump Administration has raised the concerns of many – myself included – especially as it relates to the separation of immigrant children from their parents. Families should be kept together, and all people should be treated humanely and with dignity.
“Our understanding is that the office of the Vermont U.S. Attorney has made clear their office is not under this directive, which means this is not occurring at the Vermont/Canada border. I am pleased to see our U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to use discretion on a case-by-case basis as they handle immigration cases for those entering through Vermont’s northern border.
“To be clear: Vermont has not received a specific request to deploy troops to the southern border. However, following a general call from the White House in April, I made clear to the National Guard I did not plan to deploy troops under those circumstances and that has not changed.
“As I stated earlier this week, I am also encouraged by the work of Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress, on efforts to reform federal immigration policy.
“I call on the federal government to find the best path forward to keeping families together and ensuring humane and fair treatment of all, while securing our nation’s borders.”