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By Guy Page
Vermont’s Attorney General Charity Clark took pains to say she ‘plays no role in immigration enforcement’ in an August 28 statement that decries the Trump administration’s immigration policies and outlines what she says are constitutional rights ‘regardless of a person’s citizenship or immigration status.’
The State of Vermont was declared a sanctuary state earlier this month by Clark’s federal counterpart, Dept. of Justice Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi’s letter does not specify examples of Vermont’s sanctuary status, but it does warn that unless the Green Mountain State mends its ways, it faces loss of funding and even possible criminal action against responsible state officials. Gov. Scott responded to Bondi that she is in error and that Vermont is not a sanctuary state – despite a 2017 law he signed preventing local and state law enforcement from cooperating with ICE or the Border Patrol on civil immigration matters.
Clark’s latest anti-Trump press release noted the detaining for possible deportation of illegal immigrants living in ‘the Northshire,’ an unofficial name for the Bennington County area. Press reports say that on August 25 ICE detained two Jamaican women working as home health aides and living in Manchester.
Clark’s statement, available on her website under the title Your Rights and ICE, is published in its entirety below.
Immigration enforcement officers are required to honor the constitutional rights given to everyone in this country, regardless of a person’s citizenship or immigration status. As immigration enforcement has reportedly increased in the Northshire, many members of our community are feeling on edge.
My heart breaks for the families being separated by the Trump administration, especially children being separated from a parent. Although the state Attorney General plays no role in immigration enforcement – a federal issue – my office’s constitutional experts put together a “know your rights” guide. This guide, which is available on our website and our Instagram page, can help you know your rights when you or someone else you know encounters immigration enforcement officers.
Some highlights of these rights include:
The right to remain silent. You do not need to answer questions, or write or sign anything. If you are unsure whether it is better to remain silent or answer questions, you have the right to tell officials that you do not wish to talk until you have spoken with a lawyer.
The right to request an interpreter and translated documents.
The right to not consent to an officer searching you, your property, your home, private areas of your workplace, your school, or the inside of your vehicle without a judicial warrant. If an officer issues you an order that you disagree with, you still have the right to say you are not consenting to their actions – even if you follow the order out of concern for your safety.
The right to ask officials to identify themselves.
The right to request and review any court order or warrant.
The right to talk to a lawyer if you are arrested or placed in custody.
The full guide published by my office, which is called “Your Rights When Encountering Immigration Officials in Vermont,” is available on our website in English and Spanish. Questions about the guide may be directed to the office’s Civil Rights Unit by calling 802-828-3657 or emailing ago.civilrights@vermont.gov.
Vermont is a brave little state where we stand up for our rights – and for our neighbors. Stay safe and look out for each other.
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Categories: Border, State Government
Who foots the bill for legal representation ?The very people that can’t afford their homes and heat because of exorbitant taxes . We the people want immigrants here legally and vetted for our communities
Headline fixed:
AG Clark ‘plays no role in law enforcement’ while issuing TDS press release
It’s good to know she is looking out for people, rather than trying to paint them as villians. There are better solutions than kicking good people out of our country. Instead of spending money detaining people, it’d be better for our economy to expedite their citizenship so they can contribute.
Officers have a right to view criminal or suspicious material that’s in plain sight in a vehicle without a warrant. So if you have gun or struts in open view, expect an inspection.
What is a strut? I’m not familiar with that term.
So, the argument of our AG is that her obstruction of federal law enforcement is protecting the constitutional rights of folks in Vermont… ‘regardless of a person’s citizenship or immigration status.’ That seems to be a reasonable argument involving states rights vs federal jurisdiction that will need adjudication. I expect it will go in favor of federal power.
The federal government has jurisdiction over immigration laws. States can not ignore or fail to enforce laws they don’t like. The constitution gives the president the power to enforce federal laws and the congress the power to change those laws, not each state. There are no undocumented people, they are illegal aliens who came here and stayed here illegally. That in and of itself is a crime. If they are allowed to stay here, why should others wait in line to legally become citizens. And, not all illegals wish to become Americans. Many are here for illegal reasons. While it all sounds so heartening, how many of these liberals invite gang members and other hard core criminals to live near them or in their neighborhoods? Speir Street with their $800,000.00 dollar homes would be a good place to build a migrant center and some pods for the homeless. The hypocrisy is off the charts.
VIP, so true, and it’s only the Federal Government that has jurisdiction on immigration law, period.
Question-Why do VIP 1’s comments keep appearing?????????
According to the editor of this publication: Real, full names are now required. All comments without real full names will be unapproved or trashed.
Time to take out the trash.
WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE LAW in our great #’s we can FORCE her out and anyone who thinks they can be paid by taxpayers and ignore the will of we the people.
She should be impeached for abuse of office by utilizing the office as a springboard promoting her personal political beliefs, that have nothing to do with her office.
She bends the laws as far as she can and then breaks Federal Immigrations laws at Vermonters expense and lives. Make sense? Only if you’re a DEMONcrat FEEding off the gravy train$ of public $.
Is She the best we can do?
Until the new Federal Government secures our elections from these corrupt lawyer politicians and the vast majority are unelected BUREAUcrats$ as the BAR CLUB$ of GOLIATH = 72/27 = CAIN$ doMAIN the prevents ABEL people from office as the 2 evil parties of DEMONcrat$ spend our $ like DRunken Sailors on a bing as they know time is running out for our bankrupt nation and morally bankrupt lawyer polititions$ and the vast majority are an UNelected BUREAUcratic CABAL of liars and thieves.
If States Attorneys willfully and knowingly provide protection and aid to violators of federal law, are put on notice they are in violation, does that mean they are insurrectionists?
“The core of an insurrection is the resistance against civil authority or an established government.
Legal and Constitutional Context:
U.S. federal law defines engaging in insurrection as a crime punishable by a fine, imprisonment, and disqualification from holding office.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution also addresses insurrection, disqualifying individuals who have engaged in it from holding office after having taken an oath to support the Constitution. ”
Charity’s letter appears to be a double dog dare ya to the Federal Department of Justice. It also appears the violating States are pushing for a civil war. Please share Charity’s letter or provide a link to the DOJ, DHS, and DNI and ask them to provide confirmation if Charity is above the law. Close the message with “thank you for your attention to this matter”.
A huge difference in the things she does and the things she should legally do. She should change her name from Charity to Disparity.