23-04-2025
CBP agents detain workers at Vermont dairy farm, Migrant Justice calls for their release
BERKSHIRE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detained eight workers from a Vermont dairy farm, Migrant Justice reports.
The organization says that this group was detained by armed agents in Franklin County Monday afternoon. They are currently being held at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Swanton. Of the eight detained, one is in asylum proceedings.
Migrant Justice identified the farmworkers arrested as:
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)
ABC22/FOX44 later confirmed that this incident occurred at Pleasant Valley Farms, which is owned by the family of Jamie St. Pierre, husband to local Olympic athlete Ellie St. Pierre.
In an email to ABC22/FOX44, Pleasant Valley owner Amanda St. Pierre said the business does not know 'the details or reasons at this time.'
'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.'
Detained Palestinian activist in Vermont prison says he's 'in good hands'
Vermont Governor Phil Scott released a statement Tuesday, and noted that his team is working to learn the 'circumstances and facts'. He also noted that President Donald Trump and Congress need to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Scott said '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.'
Migrant Justice has called for the release of those detained, saying that this incident is 'a violation of their human rights'. In a release, they called this 'the largest single immigration enforcement actions against farmworkers – and one of the largest worksite enforcement actions – in recent Vermont history.'
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