Updated at 3:24 p.m.
Burlington, Montpelier and Winooski — as well as the entire state of Vermont — have been targeted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for their “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The federal agency said it will send each jurisdiction “formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes.
“DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,” the statement says.
Any cities or states that refuse to comply could lose federal funding or grants.
The list was the result of an executive order from President Donald Trump. Its release comes at a time when the feds are trying to ramp up immigration enforcement. With apprehensions at the southern border dwindling, renewed attention is being paid to undocumented migrants already living in the U.S.
That includes Vermont. Just this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained 10 workers at a construction site in Newport.
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Burlington has yet to receive any notification from federal authorities, according to Joe Magee, a spokesperson for Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. In a statement, the mayor said the city “remains confident that our Fair & Impartial Policing Policy does not violate federal law and is in furtherance of our obligation to keep our community safe.
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Shortly after Trump was first elected in 2016, Montpelier designated itself a “sanctuary city” that would “refuse any requests to be an extension of any federal immigration policy enforcement actions” and “not enter into any agreements to carry out such
enforcement.” The city has also adopted a Fair and Impartial Policing policy that mirrors the state’s own.As of Friday, Montpelier hadn’t received any requests to carry out immigration-related enforcement nor had they been contacted about the list, officials said in a press release.
“The policy defines cooperation with federal immigration
enforcement,” Mayor Jack McCullough said in a statement. “Montpelier Law Enforcement Officers are responsible for local law enforcement
and are committed to keeping public trust.”
Winooski officials did not immediately return a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for Gov. Phil Scott.
Since 2017, Vermont has had a law that limits police agencies’ ability to aid ICE. But earlier this month, the governor signed a bill, S.44, that closes a loophole it contained. The original measure allowed police and sheriff’s departments to strike a deal with ICE — without the governor’s approval — during a state or federal emergency. As of May 21, such agreements require Scott’s sign-off.