Community calls for release of detained farmworkers
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Armed agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection entered a Vermont dairy farm Monday afternoon and detained eight farmworkers. The arrests in Franklin County constituted the largest single immigration enforcement actions against farmworkers – and one of the largest worksite enforcement actions – in recent Vermont history. They worked at the Pleasant Valley Farms in Berkshire. Governor Scott said Wednesday that he did not blame the Border Patrol officers and acknowledged that heightened tensions on immigration may have led to the incident. He added that if immigrant workers are living peacefully here, they should be allowed to stay.
The detained farmworkers are:
-
Jesus Mendez Hernandez (25 years old)
-
Juan Javier Rodriguez-Gomez (41 years old)
-
Luis Enrique Gomez-Aguilar (28 years old)
-
Urillas Sargento (32 years old)
-
Diblaim Maximo Sargento-Morales (30 years old)
-
Adrian Zunun-Joachin (22 years old)
-
Jose Edilberto Molina-Aguilar (37 years old)
-
Dani Alvarez-Perez (22 years old)
Following the Monday detention, the farmworkers were brought to the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Swanton, VT, where they are currently held. All have friends and family members in Vermont who are concerned for their safety and well-being. One of the detained farmworkers is currently in asylum proceedings. Many are members of Vermont-based human rights organization Migrant Justice.
Cristian Santos, a member of the Migrant Justice Farmworker Coordinating Committee, delivered the following statement in response to the arrests: “What happened last night was an injustice. Dairy workers were arrested by Border Patrol in their own homes, a violation of their human rights. We work hard to support the economy of this state, working long hours for low wages, doing work that U.S. citizens don’t want to do. Remember: the cows don’t milk themselves. We demand freedom for our fellow community members and won’t rest until they are free.”
Governor Phil Scott said at his press conference Wednesday that it appears Border Patrol was called because there were two men with backpacks in the woods not far from the Canadian border. The suspicion was they had crossed the border, but they hadn't and were just working in the woods. When the men saw the officers one man ran, which ultimately led them to apprehend those two men and ultimately the others.
Scott said, "I don't blame (the Border Patrol)." He said once the man ran then they had no choice but to proceed. He said that if tensions around immigration and undocumented workers were not so high at this time, then the issue might have been handled differently. He added that if immigrant workers are living here peacefully, they should be allowed to stay.
He said there is a great need for a guest-worker program to augment the H2B seasonal immigrant worker program, which is typically used during harvesting. But dairy is a year-around job, and local workers are not available. Scott said one farmer he spoke to said they put out an ad for local workers and did not get a single applicant. The foreign workers he is familiar with were getting $16 an hour to start with bonuses and lodging.
Scott noted that there have been bi-partisan efforts in Congress to create a guest-worker program, which have ultimately failed because of politics.
Scott issued the following statement Tuesday: “Earlier today, my team became aware of migrant workers in Franklin County who were apprehended by Border Patrol agents yesterday. We are continuing to collect information to better understand the circumstances and facts.
“I have long been clear: migrant workers are an essential part of our communities. They are our neighbors and friends, have kids in our schools, shop at our businesses, and play an important role in our economy and workforce.
“It’s far past time for Congress and the President to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would allow pathways to citizenship and greater opportunities for law abiding, hardworking individuals to earn a living in our state, rather than being forced to live in the shadows. Vermont will continue to be a welcoming place for those who are seeking a better life and greater opportunities. It’s time for the federal government to put politics aside and truly make America the envy of the world once again.”
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Statement: "Trump wants to deport migrant agricultural workers. This will only disrupt families, raise food prices and put more pressure on struggling family farms. It is exactly the wrong approach. The time is long overdue for real immigration reform and a path to citizenship for migrant workers."
Rep. Becca Balint Statement: "Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement in response to the eight workers at a Vermont dairy farm detained on Monday.
“Today we learned, eight workers at Pleasant Valley Farm in Vermont were arrested. Border patrol gave no reason for the arrest. My office is closely monitoring the situation to ensure every person in this country is given the due process they deserve.
“Vermonters know these family farms are the lifeblood of our communities. When farm workers are living in fear that they will be snatched up, it doesn’t make us safer. It leaves us without food on our tables and real families without parents or siblings at home. The Trump administration is yet again intent on not only ripping apart families but taking our agriculture industry down with it.”
4.22.2025. Richford, VT. Migrant Justice
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
