New grants increase capacity of organizations providing due process to those involved in defense removal proceedings at a critical time
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund (VILDF) today announced that it has raised more than $500,000 from over 1250 donors across the state since its launch on May 8, 2025. The organization has a goal to raise $1 million to create a sustainable immigration legal defense system in Vermont. The rapid rate of fundraising is because of a groundswell of support all over Vermont. The funds raised are from not just planned events, but also spontaneous gatherings – concerts, parties, art auctions, church gatherings – by people motivated to uphold the right to due process for all persons as it is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.
VILDF is also announcing a second round of awards to four organizations providing direct legal and interpretation services to those involved in defense removal proceedings: The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project ($100,000), the Vermont Afghan Alliance ($35,900), the Association of Africans Living in Vermont ($82,875), and the Family Room ($12,000).
“Vermonters understand the right to due process isn’t a privilege – it’s a fundamental promise of our democracy. Across our state, from concerts to community suppers, people are raising their voices and contributing their hard-earned dollars to defend that promise,” said State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, who founded VILDF in his personal capacity in May. “When we look out for our neighbors, we strengthen our communities and our country. That spirit of fairness and compassion is what makes me proud to call Vermont home.”
VILDF’s Advisory Committee approved the slate of awards in early November. The Advisory Committee focused on non-profit organizations providing direct legal and interpretation services to those involved in removal proceedings. The United Way of Northwest Vermont, which manages the funds for VILDF, will make the awards.
“Vermont is leading the way in showing how we can come together,” said Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, who helped launch VILDF. “The newest awards are investments in the greatest needs our system faces and will help uphold the rights to which every person in our state is entitled.”
The second slate of awards will specifically support additional attorneys and other support for immigrant legal defense.
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As a result of these grants, the Vermont Afghan Alliance (VAA) is shifting a significant portion of its in-house attorney time to direct legal defense cases as members of that community legally in the United States contend with removal proceedings despite their status.
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The Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV) will be able to add to their in-house attorney case load, bring on three legal interns to support case documentation and follow up, and train a new cohort of pro bono attorney volunteers able to more sustainably provide due process during removal proceedings. Based on current activity, AALV anticipates 100 or more removal detention cases in 2025 alone.
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The Family Room, which often partners with AALV, will use their grant for interpretation services when necessary for those in different stages of defense removal proceedings. This is especially critical when an attorney is not available.
VAAP’s award is its second $100,000 award from VILDF. VAAP’s first award this past summer funded the deployment of community legal support workers accessible to rural immigrant communities across Vermont, the hiring of 3 new attorney positions and one new executive coordination position (all of whom will be in place by next month), and nearly 100 pro-bono attorneys, paralegals, and interpreters trained. This translated to VAAP’s engagement in 62 removal defense cases with the VAAP attorney as the attorney of record, 27 additional detained clients assisted with at least limited scope representation, and the litigation of 10 bond hearings and 5 habeas/temporary restraining (TRO) actions.
VAAP’s actions mean individuals are less likely to face detention or deportation alone. VILDF’s Advisory Committee has confidence that VAAP’s actions will help Vermont move toward a more sustainable system of legal defense. As a condition of these awards, all grantees are committing to consult with VAAP as Vermont builds a stronger community of practice for immigrant legal defense. For more information about VAAP, please see https://www.vaapvt.org
As VAAP executive director, Jill Martin Diaz reflects, “When we walk into Vermont facilities for legal intake, we still see the basics denied: a single landline for multiple volunteer lawyers is not language access, and removal orders entered ‘in absentia’ because custodians fail to produce detainees for remote hearings is not due process. With historic support from the Vermont Immigrant Legal Defense Fund (VILDF), VAAP is mobilizing supervised volunteers inside these facilities to course-correct in real time for people at immediate risk and to maintain the precedent of democratic rule of law for all.”
“For more than a decade, AALV has been proud to serve Vermont’s diverse community by supporting vulnerable noncitizens and ensuring they have access to essential services,” said Nathan Virag, Immigration Attorney at AALV. “With the generous support of the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, we continue our work providing direct legal defense and representation for individuals facing removal proceedings, as well as advocacy in federal court for the release of detainees. As the needs of our community evolve, AALV remains committed to standing alongside those impacted by changing immigration policies and working with our partners throughout Vermont to ensure that every member of our community is treated with dignity and fairness.”
"What we've witnessed over the last year has been absolutely heartbreaking. Some Afghan allies who risked their lives in support of U.S. military and diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, detained by ICE and a government meant to protect them,” said Molly Gray, Executive Director of the VAA. “The VT Afghan Alliance is grateful to the Fund's founders, and to all Vermonters who have contributed to this effort. With the Fund's support, the Alliance will help protect the due process rights of our new neighbors and try to prevent deportation and ultimately persecution at the hands of the Taliban."
“United Way exists to meet the needs our community tells us matter most – and Vermonters have spoken clearly,” said United Way of Northwest Vermont CEO Jesse Bridges. “As fiscal sponsor of the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, we’re proud to leverage our capacity to help raise resources and partner with trusted organizations to impact our community. This is trust-based philanthropy in action, and it’s how we meet the moment with responsiveness and dignity.”
For more information about VILDF, please see https://www.vermontlegaldefensefund.com.
11.10.2025. Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund
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