By Paul Bean and Guy Page
The U.S. Border Patrol conducted a raid yesterday evening, Monday, April 21 at Pleasant Valley Farms in Berkshire, the largest dairy farm in Vermont.
Operating since 1986, Pleasant Valley 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. Jamie is married to Vermont Olympic runner Elle St. Pierre.
The farm is located close to the U.S. – Canada border.
A government official familiar with the event said Border Patrol saw three migrant workers walking down the driveway on the premises of the farm. The agents then pursued the migrants through the milking parlor. Arrests were made, while others escaped. It is unclear how many were arrested and how many escaped pursuit.
Since the Trump administration took office, federal authorities have heretofore not arrested migrant workers on the premises of the farms where they are employed. Most arrests occur when the workers are spotted at a store or other public place, a source familiar with Border Patrol practices on Vermont farms said.
Migrant Justice, an advocacy group for illegal aliens living in Vermont, especially farm workers, has not published any information on its social media sites.
Vermont’s farm economy is largely dependent on immigrant workers, including those here illegally, for labor. An estimated 800-1500 immigrant workers are employed at the state’s dairy farms.
VDC learned of the incident at about 11 AM this morning, and is in contact with federal authorities in an effort to learn more details.
At this time it is also unclear whether the arrests were for violations of immigration status, or for other federal law. And it is not known at this time whether this raid was an isolated incident locally or was ordered by upper echelons of Department of Homeland Security.
Neither the Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept. nor the Vermont State Police (which covers Berkshire) had any comment about the incident.
VDC will follow this story and publish more information as soon as possible.
Governor Phil Scott has issued the following 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.”