Migrant Justice Justicia Migrante

On October 3rd, 2017 dairy workers and corporate executives at Ben & Jerry’s joined together for a historic occasion. After years of farmworkers urging the global ice cream brand to join the Milk with Dignity Program, the two sides signed a contract in front of the company’s flagship scoop shop. This represented the first time that a dairy company entered into an agreement with the farmworkers in its supply chain and led to the launch of the Milk with Dignity Program.

In an exciting development, through a new partnership with Vermont Way Foods, Milk with Dignity is set to expand! Co-owned by four non-profit food hubs across the state, Vermont Way Foods has brought locally-grown, organic produce to a regional market since 2022. The brand is soon to launch a new cheese, to be found in stores this fall.

Read more to get the full story!

10/19 Update: Followng a public campaign denouncing their arrest and calling for their release, Guadalupe and Emanuel are free and back in Vermont! Read more!

Guadalupe and Emanuel Diaz are imprisoned in an immigration detention center after being pulled off the street by ICE in South Burlington, VT. On August 27th, plainclothes agents pulled over the father and son while driving the van of the painting company where they work. Even though ICE was apparently looking for someone else, Guadalupe and Emanuel were detained and are now facing possible deportation.

The ICE detention of Guadalupe and Emanuel is just one of dozens of immigration arrests carried out across Vermont since the start of the Trump administration. While ICE and Border Patrol have surveilled, detained, and deported immigrants in the state under previous administrations, detentions and deportations have reached unprecedented levels in recent months – and are continuing to escalate. 

Guadalupe and Emanuel must be freed! Sign the petition to tell the immigration judge to release the father and son, so they can return to their family and community in Vermont.

Read more to get the full story, or sign below!

Nacho and Heidi are free! After nearly a month behind bars following an unjust and illegal Border Patrol detention, they are back where they belong: with their family, their community, and in the struggle for human rights.

This tremendous victory is the direct result of people power. Together, we stood up to Trump’s machinery of mass deportation. Thousands of you wrote to ICE denouncing the arrest, and hundreds of you turned out to demand their release. From an emergency protest at the Border Patrol barracks on the day of their detention, to rallies at the Vermont State House and the Federal Court, we said together: “Not one more deportation!”

Read more to see quotes from Nacho and Heidi celebrating their release!

Heidi and Nacho have won their freedom and will soon be released, after nearly a month behind bars. The two Migrant Justice leaders received hearings in immigration court today, resulting in a judge granting them bond and ordering their release.

This result would not have been possible without the hundreds who took action at protests across Vermont denouncing the detentions and the thousands who sent messages to ICE demanding their release. Rossy Alfaro, mother to Heidi, partner to Nacho, and leader in Migrant Justice celebrated the outcome: 

“Today, we showed that our unity makes us strong. We won't be defeated. And every day, the Migrant Justice community grows even stronger. Together, we will continue to fight to ensure that injustices like the one my family is suffering from won't happen to others. We won't allow our families to be separated."

Read more to get the full story!

Community leaders Nacho and Heidi were violently detained by Border Patrol while delivering food to local farmworkers. Agents stopped over without cause, smashed their window, and pulled them out of their car. For the past two weeks, they have been unjustly held in detention.

On July 7th and 8th, both will have their first hearings in federal court to challenge their unlawful detention and request immediate release. Outside, community supporters will gather to stand with Heidi and Nacho – and to stand up to ICE’s attacks.

Join us in front of the Federal Courthouse in Burlington, VT (11 Elmwood Ave) on Monday 7/7 and Tuesday 7/8 at 2:30pm. Rally to free Nacho and Heidi!

The detention of Heidi and Nacho – and ICE’s efforts to deport them – coincides with a landmark week for immigrant communities in Vermont. On July 1st, two new laws took effect. They are the result of years of courageous and tireless organizing led by Nacho, Heidi, and their community to advance the human rights of immigrants in the state.

Read more to learn about Nacho and Heidi’s impact expanding rights for immigrant Vermonters.

After this spring’s breakthroughs in the campaign inviting Hannaford Supermarket to join the Milk with Dignity Program, we are taking the campaign on the road. Migrant Justice is announcing a series of pickets this summer to expand the reach of the Milk with Dignity campaign. Join farmworkers at a Hannaford near you for the Milk with Dignity Summer Series! 

The Milk with Dignity Summer Series kicks off Saturday 6/28, 11am-3pm, in Plattsburgh, NY (7 Pyramid Drive). Join farmworkers on the Hannaford picket line!

Read more to get the full story on the summer series!

On June 16th, less than two days after the violent and unlawful detention of Nacho and Heidi, hundreds gathered in front of the Vermont State House in an emergency rally demanding freedom for the Migrant Justice leaders. In an emotionally-charged event, loved ones spoke out against the government’s cruel separation of families as chants reverberated through the streets of the state capital: “Nacho, Heidi, no están solos!” You are not alone!

At the rally, speaker after speaker highlighted Nacho and Heidi’s fearless leadership advancing the struggle for human rights in Vermont, from winning protections from police discrimination, to expanding access to higher education and housing, to campaigning for Milk with Dignity. At just 18-year-old, Heidi’s impact as a young leader was on full display when Regina, a 10-year-old member of the Migrant Justice community, said through tears: “Heidi is an inspiration to me. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.”

Read more to learn the latest on their case, and to take action to support another Migrant Justice leader at risk of detention!

Two Migrant Justice leaders were detained by Border Patrol agents in Vermont on June 14th. Jose Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz was driving with his stepdaughter Heidi Perez in Franklin County when they were pulled over. Agents smashed their car window and violently detained the two community leaders. Both are now at risk of imminent deportation. 

Send a message to ICE to free Nacho and Heidi!

As U.S. Marines patrol the streets of Los Angeles to repress dissent against ICE raids, it is clear that attacks on immigrant communities and their defenders will continue to escalate under this administration. Vermont is not exempt from these intensifying attacks, yet despite the risks, immigrant communities refuse to be silenced.

Migrant Justice is building community power, not only to defend against ICE and Border Patrol arrests, but to push forward new rights and protections. For the last two years, we have led the fight in the legislature for Housing Access for Immigrant Families. The proposal was recently passed by the Vermont House and Senate and is now sitting on the Governor’s desk, poised to become law.

Read more to get the full story!