Federal agents raid Vermont farm, detain 8 workers
BERKSHIRE, Vt. (WCAX) - Federal authorities detained eight workers at a Vermont dairy farm on Monday.
A migrant advocacy group calls it one of the largest-ever single immigration enforcement actions against farmworkers in Vermont.
Migrant Justice says armed border protection agents entered a Franklin County dairy farm Monday afternoon and arrested the eight farmworkers. They are being held at the Northwest State Correctional Facility.
Migrant Justice identified the detained farmworkers as:
- Jesus Mendez Hernandez, 25
- Juan Javier Rodriguez-Gomez, 41
- Luis Enrique Gomez-Aguilar, 28
- Urillas Sargento, 32
- Diblaim Maximo Sargento-Morales, 30
- Adrian Zunun-Joachin, 22
- Jose Edilberto Molina-Aguilar, 37
- Dani Alvarez-Perez, 22
The story was first reported by the Vermont Daily Chronicle. WCAX News has confirmed the raid happened at the Pleasant Valley Farm in Berkshire. It’s owned by Mark and Amanda St. Pierre and has been called the largest dairy farm in Vermont. Jamie St. Pierre is also involved in the operations. He’s the husband of Vermont Olympic athlete Ellie St. Pierre.
In a statement, the family said they don’t know why their employees were detained but they are cooperating with Customs and Border Patrol: “On April 21, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents detained several of our employees. We do not know the details or reasons at this time. We have cooperated fully with their instructions. Our employees were hired following the federal and state employment requirements. We remain supportive of our employees and appreciative of the valuable role they play in our community performing essential work on our farm. We hope this matter is resolved quickly. Any other questions will need to be directed to US Customs and Border agents.”
Customs and Border Patrol says that on Monday, they responded to a report of two people carrying backpacks leaving the woods and crossing through private farmland close to the border. They say one person was taken into custody and the other got away. But during a search of the area, they say they found and apprehended “additional individuals” who they say were in the U.S. illegally.
According to Vermont Agriculture officials, the state has an estimated 750-850 year-round migrant farmworkers.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, reacted to the detainments, saying: “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.”
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