By Guy Page
In a story first reported yesterday by VDC, the U.S. Border Patrol Monday arrested eight migrant workers at the largest farm in Vermont.
Details of the incident are still sketchy. State officials familiar with the incident say the Border Patrol was called to site by witnesses of suspected illegal immigrants.
However, the suspected border crossers were actually farm workers emerging from the tree line after working in the sugarbush, Gov. Phil Scott said at his press conference today.
“I don’t blame the Border Patrol. They were just doing their jobs,” Scott said. He doesn’t know if it signals increased BP activity, “but it could,” he said.
When farm workers saw the agents, the workers fled into a farm building. They were pursued by Border Patrol. The arrests followed that pursuit.
Scott noted the current high level of apprehension. “Maybe four years ago [during the Biden Administration], this wouldn’t have happened,” he speculated.
Operating since 1986, Pleasant Valley Farms milks over 3,000 cows across 10,000 acres. The farm is owned and operated by Mark and Amanda St. Pierre, with their sons Bradley and Jamie St. Pierre. [VDC inadvertently omitted the name of Bradley St. Pierre in yesterday’s story.]
According to an April 22 WCAX news report by Ike Ben-David, advocacy group Migrant Justice has identified the eight arrestees:
Jesus Mendez Hernandez, 25
Juan Javier Rodriguez-Gomez, 41
Luis Enrique Gomez-Aguilar, 28
Urillas Sargento, 32
Diblaim Maximo Sargento-Morales, 30
Adrian Zunun-Joachin, 22
Jose Edilberto Molina-Aguilar, 37
Dani Alvarez-Perez, 22.
WCAX reported the following statement by the St. Pierre family: “On April 21, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents detained several of our employees. We do not know the details or reasons at this time. We have cooperated fully with their instructions. Our employees were hired following the federal and state employment requirements. We remain supportive of our employees and appreciative of the valuable role they play in our community performing essential work on our farm. We hope this matter is resolved quickly. Any other questions will need to be directed to US Customs and Border agents.”
A Facebook commenter on yesterday’s VDC story claiming to have been on site said the Border Patrol officers (whose green and white cruisers can be seen in the photo, with their lights flashing) were responding to a reported attempted crossing of the farm property by suspected illegal entrants into the U.S. The farm is located a short distance from the U.S. – Canada border. However, after Border Patrol agents entered into farm property, eight farm workers were detained.
Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Scott issued this statement:
“Earlier today, my team became aware of migrant workers in Franklin County who were apprehended by Border Patrol agents yesterday. We are continuing to collect information to better understand the circumstances and facts.
“I have long been clear: migrant workers are an essential part of our communities. They are our neighbors and friends, have kids in our schools, shop at our businesses, and play an important role in our economy and workforce.
“It’s far past time for Congress and the President to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would allow pathways to citizenship and greater opportunities for law abiding, hardworking individuals to earn a living in our state, rather than being forced to live in the shadows. Vermont will continue to be a welcoming place for those who are seeking a better life and greater opportunities. It’s time for the federal government to put politics aside and truly make America the envy of the world once again.”
On Tuesday, he urged Congress to pass immigration reform giving guest workers a path to citizenship.