Jaime and Cristian are free! Rally for Camila 3/20 3:30pm!

We are thrilled to share two tremendous updates today, as the fight for immigrant rights continues to heat up in Vermont. Despite the increasing attacks from federal deportation agencies, Vermonters are organizing, standing up to ICE's abuses, and winning freedom for detained community members.

Cristian Andrade returned home today after winning release on immigration bond. He had been held behind bars since last Wednesday, when he and his housemates were violently detained by ICE. The detentions came at the end of a day-long standoff with hundreds of community members who had rallied in support of the besieged families. Cristian's case was initially heard by a federal judge on Monday and Tuesday before being sent to immigration court for a bond hearing. After hearing arguments from the attorneys for Cristian and ICE, the judge ordered his release on $10,000 bond.

Just hours later, another immigrant community member won his freedom as well. Jaime Castro Guaman walked out of the federal courthouse in Burlington, Vermont to a cheering crowd of family members and supporters. Jaime had been detained by ICE in South Burlington just one day before the highly publicized home raid that resulted in the detentions of Cristian, Johana, and Camila. Undercover ICE agents stopped Jaime on his way to work and detained him. Following the judge’s ruling, after nine days in detention, Jaime is once again a free man.

​Jaime (front-left) with family, attorney, and supporters after being freed from detention​

ICE's detention of Jaime is emblematic of the continuous attacks against immigrants in Vermont and around the country. Through traffic stops, workplace raids, and home arrests, ICE and Border Patrol disappear our neighbors, separating them from their families and terrorizing communities. In 2025, immigrant Vermonters experienced a tenfold increase in detentions, and attacks continue to escalate in 2026. Most detentions happen in the shadows, with no press reporting or public outcry. At times, families won't even know a loved one is in immigration detention until they are deported and arrive in their country of origin.

These detentions demonstrate the necessity of the courageous, organized defense that supporters maintained outside the home of Cristian, Johana, and Camila last week. We cannot and must not allow ICE’s attacks to be normalized, to be swept under the rug. Likewise, the release of Cristian and Jaime – and of Johana earlier this week – demonstrate the power of sustained solidarity, of making sure that detained community members are not alone. We must continue to manifest this solidarity for Camila at her court hearing tomorrow.

Friday 3/20 3:30pm at the Federal Courthouse in Burlington (11 Elmwood Ave), join us to demand freedom for Camila!

p.s. Cristian’s $10,000 bond was paid by the Vermont Freedom Fund. Make a contribution today to replenish the fund!