by Guy Page

The United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) training facility on Harvest Lane in Williston was vandalized sometime Friday night or Saturday morning.

The incident is under investigation by the Williston Police Department. VDC has reached out to Williston PD and will publish details as soon as they are provided. Photos provided anonymously to Vermont Daily Chronicle show threatening messaging spray painted in black.

One message defacing the front door of the facility is largely illegible in the photo, but does appear to say ‘kill yourselves, scum’ across the two swinging doors. The other, spray painted along the side of the building, states: “You’re not safe, we’re coming.”

The USCIS Training Facility at 237 Harvest Lane serves as a pivotal center for training and education related to U.S. immigration and citizenship services,” according to a description on Mapquest. “This facility provides comprehensive programs designed to equip staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively serve the public. With modern classrooms and resources, it emphasizes a commitment to excellence in immigration process management and community engagement.”

The facility is located across the street from ICE Law Enforcement Support Center. A “F*** Ice” sign was posted on the lawn Friday.

It is not known why the vandals targeted this building. Nationwide, federal immigration facilities are being targeted by leftist protesters opposed to President Donald Trump’s aggressive enforcement of federal immigration law.

It is also possible the vandals are opposed to the proposed expansion in Williston of U.S. government social media surveillance to track down individuals who are a threat to public safety or national security. Recently, the federal government issued a request for contractor support to provide investigative and analytical services for its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Targeting Operations Division (TOD).

Specifically, the contractors will focus on open-source intelligence (OSINT) and social media analysis to identify and locate individuals who pose threats to public safety or national security. The work will be performed at two primary locations, one in California and the other at the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center (NCATC) on Industrial Avenue in Williston.

According to the website LegalClarity.com, conviction of vandalizing a federal building under 18 U.S.C. 1361 carries the possible sentence of prison time, increasing with the amount of damage done: “Penalties depend on the extent of the damage. If the damage exceeds $1,000, the offense is a felony, punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If the damage is $1,000 or less, it is a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Courts rely on expert assessments to determine the cost of repairs or replacement.

“Felony convictions can result in fines of up to $250,000, while misdemeanor offenses can lead to fines of up to $100,000. Courts may impose separate fines for multiple acts of destruction, significantly increasing financial penalties. Sentencing is influenced by federal guidelines, which consider factors such as criminal history, premeditation, and whether the act endangered public safety.”

Opposition to Trump administration policies isn’t limited to illegal vandalism. Vermont elected officials also are expressing opposition to executive orders about:

Illegal immigration: On Labor Day, State Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor) chanted ‘F*** Ice’ into a microphone at a rally organized by local Democrats. Gov. Phil Scott has consistently denied that Vermont is a ‘sanctuary state,’ despite Vermont being named as a sanctuary state by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said in a ___ letter that Vermont could face funding loss and possible action against officials who are violating federal law.

Election Integrity: On August 13, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas said she will not provide voter information to the federal government. “Vermonters may have heard of recent outreach from the federal government to states asking for voter information, including state voter lists. The policy of my office is very clear: our office has no plans to share Vermont voter data with the federal government,” Copeland-Hanzas said.

DEI in public schools: On April 14, Vermont Agency of Education Secretary Zoie Saunders said in a letter to the U.S. Agency of Education that she will not comply with the Trump administration order to eliminate DEI education in public schools, which she said is too vague and is not required by law: “No federal or state law prohibits diversity, equity, or inclusion. The Request references “certain DEI practices” and “illegal DEI,” but neither term is defined in the Request, and no definition has been provided.”