5 days ago
‘Utterly terrifying': Vt. school superintendent says he was interrogated for hours upon return from Nicaragua
'I don't wish this on anybody,' he said. 'It's utterly terrifying, as a US citizen, to be told you have no rights and you should stop talking about your rights.'
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A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. Chavarría's detention
Chavarría was born in a refugee camp on the border of Honduras and Nicaragua during the Nicaraguan Revolution. After completing high school in Canada, he moved to the US for college in 2008 and attained his citizenship a decade later. He remains a dual citizen of Nicaragua.
A former teacher and principal, Chavarría has served for two years as superintendent of schools in Winooski, just outside of Burlington. It's the most diverse school district in the state. The district
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Chavarría's own family has firsthand experience with President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. His brother, sister-in-law and two nieces chose to 'self-deport' from Vermont to Nicaragua earlier this year after losing temporary immigration protections. The local high school
During Chavarría's detention this week, he said, agents appeared focused on inspecting his electronic devices, including a personal cell phone and a district-issued tablet and laptop. Chavarría said he repeatedly made clear that the agents were welcome to search his personal files but not those pertaining to the district, citing student confidentiality laws. He ultimately allowed them to inspect the devices, once they promised not to access work-related files.
At various points during the questioning, Chavarría said, agents appeared skeptical that he was a school superintendent and that he was married to his husband, Cyrus Dudgeon.
'I don't know how many married couples have to prove to the United States government that they are real,' Chavarría said.
The two were kept apart as agents questioned Chavarría.
'It felt frightening not knowing what was happening to Wilmer,' Dudgeon said.
Chavarría was eventually released without any explanation as to why he had been detained. He and Dudgeon missed their connecting flight. The next day, Chavarría received notice that he had been terminated from the Global Entry program. He said he expects to visit family in Nicaragua again but is 'terrified of doing so.'
Nicole Mace, vice president of the Winooski School Board, said she was 'outraged' by Chavarría's treatment.
'I don't recognize this country anymore,' she said. 'What is happening? It's horrifying.'
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