Vermont dairy immigration enforcement raises concerns amid conflicting federal signals.
Immigration raid rattles Vermont dairy farms. On April 21, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted one of Vermont’s largest dairy raids, detaining eight migrant workers—including asylum-seeker José Molina‑Aguilar, who was later released, while others were deported. The disruption sent tremors across the state’s dairy sector.
Federal policy inconsistencies amplify fear. Farmers and labor advocates say the raid followed unclear federal signals—President Trump briefly suspended and then resumed worksite enforcement. This back-and-forth has created uncertainty for farms across New England.
Dairy economy’s heavy reliance on migrants. Vermont’s dairy industry, valued at US $5.4 billion, depends on immigrant labor—over 90% of surveyed farms employ migrant workers. The sudden loss of these workers threatens production and farm stability.
Human stories underscore urgency. Workers like Molina‑Aguilar, Wuendy Bernardo, and Rossy Alfaro—who toils 12-hour days for minimal rest—highlight the vulnerable human side of dairy operations. Farms would “collapse” without these essential contributors.
Industry fears ripple nationwide. Although rooted in Vermont, the raid’s anxieties extend to large fruit and vegetable sectors in California and beyond. The current enforcement ambiguity could ripple into broader food security challenges.
Source: The Associated Press – A Vermont dairy farm was raided. The mixed messages from Washington since then have increased fears lakelandtoday.cax.com+9apnews.com+9apnews.com+9
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