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By Guy Page
U.S. Attorney General has announced the Department of Justice will cut all departmental funding for sanctuary cities, states and not-for-profits – raising questions about the status of a $300,000 grant to Burlington in particular, and $65 million in total grants statewide in general.
The State of Vermont and municipalities now receive $65.4 million in DOJ grant funding. Burlington alone has five grants totalling about $500,000. Also, two Burlington-based not-for-profits receive DOJ funding worth about $1.5 million.
In a letter dated Feb. 5, AG Pam Bondi writes: “Sanctuary jurisdictions should not receive access to federal grants administered by theDepartment of Justice. The Department will exercise its own authority to impose any conditions of funding that do not violate applicable constitutional or statutory limitations……Federal law provides that state and local jurisdictions “may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, [federal immigration officers] information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.”
Community Justice grant for Burlington – Sen. Peter Welch announced last August he had helped secure a DOJ grant of “$300,000 to the Community Justice Center (CJC) to move into the new Post Apartments—formerly the VFW. The City of Burlington is leasing the space from the Champlain Housing Trust. This grant will support costs associated with moving into the new space, which will finally be designed for the CJC with its intended purpose in mind.’
Both current Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and her predecessor, Miro Weinberger, have stated that Vermont will protect the rights of all residents, regardless of immigration status. In a December 2017 letter to then U.S. AG Jeff Sessions, Weinberger said Burlington’s immigration stance is consistent with federal law, the Trump administration’s claims notwithstanding.
Is Vermont a Sanctuary State?
Both Scott administration officials and Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck dispute the claim that Vermont is a sanctuary state. Vermont is within its constitutional rights to refuse to cooperate with Border Patrol/ICE traffic stops and raids, they say.
However, the Federation for American Immigration Reform paints a different picture. FAIR lists Vermont as among the 11 sanctuary states, because:
“Vermont became an illegal alien sanctuary state in 2011 when Gov. Pete Shumlin (D) implemented a new policy – on the basis of State Police Rules and Regulations VSP-DIR-301 – that was prompted by the arrest of two Mexican nationals after being stopped for speeding.
“In 2017, Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed Vermont Senate Bill 79, which expanded Vermont’s sanctuary policy to apply to local authorities (while the 2011 policy applied only to the State Police).
“In 2020, as the result of a lawsuit filed by a pro-sanctuary special interest group, the state Department of Motor Vehicles pledged not to report illegal immigrants to the federal authorities.”
Also, in 2013 Vermont passed a law allowing all residents, regardless of immigration status, to receive drivers’ licenses.
Ultimately it will be up to the Trump administration – and perhaps, the courts – to determine whether the State, municipalities and non-profits are in violation of federal law.
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Categories: Border
0peration 2025 is moving ahead at great speed.
Good. I’ll be very happy if federal funding ends as I warned it was going to back in November. The state wants to play stupid games, well then, they should expect to win stupid prizes. As we’ve seen with the revelation of where all the USAID funding has been going, I suspect a similar thing happens as regards “liberal” states. Would it surprise you if we learn that 50% of the allocated money ends up somewhere it wasn’t supposed to? Like in politicians’ pockets? Not me.
And all for what? To “protect” a bunch of people who are, at the very least, here illegally? Sorry. Go through the system just like all my grandparents did.
But also realize that many of the illegals here are being taken advantage of. After all, if the middle class gets squeezed out of Vermont, as appears to be the goal, Who’s going to clean the houses and skim the pools of the remaining rich folk? Who’s going to serve them in their high-dollar restaurants? Who’s going to sell them their lift tickets?
Look at Martha’s Vineyard. They threw the first wave of illegals out, but now they’re holding marches to keep them. As one woman put it, “They’ve become an integral part of our workforce”. Doublespeak at its finest. Translated: They’re willing to work cheap.
Just had a thought… Maybe we could get DOGE in here to audit Vermont. Wonder what they might uncover. Hmmmmm…
DOGE audit Vermont, now I like that idea.
Vermont needs migrants. They are a key component of the state’s economic development plans. The Camber of Commerce and nonprofit called Vermont Prosperity Project are working together on this plan. I believe the anticipated number of housing units reflect Governor Scott’s projection.
https://vtdigger.org/2025/01/31/in-new-plan-economic-group-calls-for-adding-13500-to-vermonts-workforce-each-year/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIQYttleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYdHMjo0TSjYgwdO3tEpTmBS7uI3VoXZj6denJRPnKYInPS4Zxkcw7_HCA_aem_lJi43KqWUap2vGx3F6rImw
Yes Christine ……. our ancestors were all immigrants at some point. They were welcomed as LEGAL IMMIGRANTS that were assimilated into America to become Lawful Citizens.
We need to learn to genuinely respect ALL human beings including illegal immigrants not use them as political props and cheap labor. How is it honorable or just to help or support any person to break our United States Laws to get into our Country?
Once they are here in the United States as Criminal Law Breakers, they have to live in the shadows while trying to survive. This puts them in a position to be taken advantage of in many ways; to be used for cheap labor and to seek unlawful means to survive. This is very cruel.
You cite a communist site like VTDigger and expect people to take you seriously? You don’t live in Vermont do you?
We welcome migrants to Vermont. LEGAL migrants. No doubt that’s what you meant.
There are legal ways to get immigrant help Farmers can go through legal channels to bring immigrants here to work.
The resort I work at has about 150 gest worker here either on a J1 Visa or an H2B visa. All good people that legally entered this country.
Migrants who came here legally and followed the rules yes let them in. illegally go to the back of the line. DMV decided to give them drivers licenses which can give them voting rights. I wonder if I go to Mexico or some other country if they would issue me a license? And in Mexico you have to show ID to vote.
Obstructing Federal Agents ( ICE) is considered a felony I believe. If anyone thinks that Vermont does not have a problem with violent criminal illegal aliens , including those involved with dealing drugs they are sadly mistaken.
This will be interesting for sure.
Vermont has become a total tool for the united nations/agenda 2030/50.
Where they look to import out of country people to run the ski resorts, etc, already happening, they will gladly build housing for these people to rent but won’t allow Vermonters to build their own homes.
The corruption in Vermont is neck deep, we’ll be exposed with all this Doge investigations, bring it on.
Perhaps the grift will finally be over.
It’s time for Governor Phil Scott and Attorney General Charity Clark to wake up to reality. They have made it very clear they are Trump Haters, but the Federal Government is in charge of immigration into the United States NOT the Vermont State Government.
Why are you now pretending Vermont is not a sanctuary state? It’s well known that the Vermont State Government openly houses and supports illegal immigrants all over the State of Vermont; giving them driver’s licenses and allowing them to vote. Do you think no one is paying attention?
VT believer. I am not sure why you lecture me on immigration as I support legal immigration. Yes, we have all been immigrants including my family, but what is being proposed is not legal immigration. This state is implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, so what is proposed is migration. Migrants are the ones that are in danger of being taken advantage of, not legal immigrants. I believe this is really to bring in cheap labor for Vermont businesses. The tax payers will subsidize their pay via free school lunches, free day care and so on. The article doesn’t state what job opportunities will be created, the sectors or timeframe. It offers no transparency and no explanation.
I would have said earlier that barring a major event, Vermont will probably avoid detailed scrutiny for a while because we are a penny ante player in the American great game. Now that a Border Patrol Agent has been killed here, prompting a visit from DHS Secretary Noem to talk with border officers, that may no longer be true.
Illegal ! People seem to ignore that, the state gives them housing, benefits including healthcare, education on the taxpayers dime. while born here citizens and legal immigrants struggle with high taxes, high rents, higher groceries, this needs to stop! Hope all federal funds are cut off for this travesty. Vermont needs to put their own citizens first!
I agree Carla. The global equity agenda demands that our government doesn’t prioritize its legal citizens as the goal is to create more equal outcomes within and among nations. Poor Vermonters have more than these migrants. Inequities among various demographics is considered unnatural and needs to be corrected via policy according to the United Nations. This is why Becca Baliant in a campaign debate when asked about the economy stated that legislatures didn’t understand why Vermonters were complaining about the economy as we where doing a little better than other Western nations.
A great idea, but will never happen as long as a democrat or rino is left in Vermont. They just so not think well, or at all.
Great! So now we’re parsing “immigration” and “migration”, while what we SHOULD be parsing is “legal” and “illegal”!
No one cares about the workers that come here legally to help harvest crops. They’ve been doing this for a hundred years, they’re great workers, they do a necessary job, they’re very good at it, and they’re here legally. Not a problem.
And while I’m at it, let me explain the Declaration of Independence to you. It says that “We hold that all men are created equal…”. First of all, the word :created” implies a “Creator”. The writers didn’t mean Yahweh, they didn’t mean Allah. They meant God. Second, the phrase “created equal”. That means we all start out the same, with the same opportunities to make of our lives what we will. What that implies is that how hard we apply ourselves and how proficient we become at our chosen path determines how far we get in life. OR NOT!
Nowhere do I see anything about “All men get to have equal outcomes”. That’s a leftist/progressive/socialist/communist/globalist/NWO construct. Describe it as you wish.
My point is, our Founding Fathers clearly recognized that while we start out equally, how we end up depends on us, so enough of this “equity” and “inclusion” nonsense. Don’t like that? Please leave. Please.
And before anyone torches me, the Founding Fathers used the word “man” as in meaning “mankind”, not to exclude women.
Oh, we all have rights, Vt claims they can protect IL-legal immigrants and the Justice Department has the right to withhold funding, This will tell how much Vermont wants to protect the lawbreakers, and people in this country illegally!
Good, harboring criminals and breaking the law.
Perfect, maybe if we are lucky some of our feckless elected officials will feel the full extent of the law………………………….Let’s get DOGE to look at Vermont’s books !!!
Regarding Fed money flows and state positions…it take two to tango.
If that money never went from the state citizens, to the Fed, to begin with, then the state would not be in this awkward position, and you wouldn’t have the house of lords for life, professional politicians, sending chump change back to the state, then walking around like a puffed up rooster, crowing,” Looks at with I did, vote me for life!” so I can sop up the gravy, under the guise (Fraud) of progressiveness, while taking funds from the worst of the lobbyists, such as what big pharma hires, while wagging a finger through the air, shouting…but,but,but,but,but, in a Brooklyn accent, so no one hears the amount they were bought and paid for…not thanks ,a sick system and that money should have stayed home in the first place.
Vote the whole slate of them out, suckering Vermonters in Washington, and get some Trump supporters in.
Then you got something that works!
Anybody notice how our congressional delegation are all in a fit about DOGE and Elon but haven’t said a word about all the wasted money and corruption that has been uncovered?
It’s about time the hammer came down on Vermont, and I hope it hits harder and harder until Vermont is restored to sanity and is free of all democrat perversions.
Scott needs to bendzeeknee as it were, confess his sins, and swear loyalty to a man who knows he’s a man…and can show him what a man acting righteously looks like… or Vermont is SOL in the immediate future. Anything else is serving treachery and chaos in a world where peace and order are sorely needed. One master sows chaos. The other master sows peace. Who is stopping wars, and who started them? Who is mucking out the swamp, and who wants the waters to stay murky and coverup the poopoo excreted by the bottom feeders we’ve been gaslighted by, coerced by, stocked and terrorized by, and told we are stupid… who wants that, seriously, do YOU Guv?
No State (or Governor) is “above the law”. Gee I heard the quoted part many times during the CornPop Administration.
Vermont has money to waste in Lawsuits.
https://x.com/JDVance/status/1887900880143343633
What is it that a bunch of you don’t understand being the difference between legal and illegal immigrants.
I came here on a work permit, moved on to a Green Card, and have now been a U S citizen for 36 years. If I can do it, anyone can.
Let’s fix the illegal immigrant issue once and for all and make it history. Our U S citizens deserve it!
Good!! We are all Americans no matter where we live in the state. To hamper law enforcement in any way has created negative results and damaged public safety as witnessed in Burlington weekly. If you entered this county illegally you are a criminal. Why would anyone want to protect someone who has broken the law. Let law enforcement have the ability to do their job without political interference.
It’s time for “Republican” King Philip the Scott 1st Eunuch King of Castrati to go to Mar A Lago and kiss the ring. It’s not too late to go MAGA Phil.
It appears the modus operandi to reject, deflect, and project won’t help the liars and thieves. They plastered their agenda on every website, every social media page, every news station, every newspaper, every council chamber, every Legislative chamber, every email, every text, every phone conversation. “We have it all.” Both sides have it all and now the boomerang lawfare warfare is manifesting – fingers off the delete button – it’s far, far too late. The exposure is what they fear the most…the jig is flying up – those involved best be thinking really hard if the salary is worth the billable hours defending the indefensible.
Hello Christine,
You asked why I wrote to challenge you.
The words from your recent post fully elaborate on your worldview and are the best example of your wrong thinking about our United States of America and what I am challenging.
Your words saying: “The global equity agenda demands that our government doesn’t prioritize its legal citizens as the goal is to create more equal outcomes within and among nations …….. via policy according to the United Nations.”
NO Christine ……… The United Nations does not direct our policies. We are a Sovereign Nation and a Constitutional Republic. Our Constitution directs our policies. America chooses what our migration/immigration policies will be. The United States Government has authority over who enters our Country.
Becca Balint has a radical left ideology that works against our US Constitution. This is the problem with many Dems/Progs, and some other elected officials. They have a “global agenda” that doesn’t recognize the Foundational Authority of our United States Constitution and Supreme Law.
The Elected Officials on ALL LEVELS of government who have a “global agenda” and take an Oath to Uphold our US Constitution should be held accountable. They are NOT keeping their Oaths. They are undermining our
Individual Rights, Privileges, Freedoms and our Country overall.
I am sorry and I mean no disrespect. Equity, carbon reduction, migration and Human Rights are all United Nations agendas. In addition so is the free school lunch program, Common Core, Social, Emotional and Learning program, Comprehensive Sex Education for k-12 children, Social Justice , DEI, and Queer theory. Everything plaguing this state can be tied directly to the UN. I recommend you read the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which amounts to global socialism. Equity is rebranded socialism for America. I have a presentation on this topic which goes into a painful level of detail and I am happy to share it.
Very well said, vtbeliever! I agree 100%.
Hello Christine,
You have given many details in your last post to confirm the problem I described when I previously challenged you. As I stated in my last post, your thinking about “authority” is distorted. Elected Officials on every level of the United States Government including the US President, take an Oath to uphold our State and United States Constitutions.
Therefore, ALL US Agency and Department Programs are to be in keeping with our State and US Constitutions. If the United Nations has programs and agendas on subjects that are in keeping with our State and US Constitutions, the US can acknowledge agreement and make choices to participate and work with the United Nations. It is NOT the United Nations place to dictate their agenda to our United States on any subject.
Many of the issues you raise are born from those who ignore our Constitutions and instead practice “globalism”and “identity politics” that serves special interests and personal ideologies. DEI and other “identity policies” are in opposition to our United States Constitution and Civil Rights Law. Global climate policies seeking to control and takeover ALL human behaviors are in opposition to our Individual Constitutional Rights, Freedoms and Privileges.
Respectfully Christine, I recommend you should read our United States Founding Documents and History. Please make the choice to study the Beauty of the Miraculous Formula and Foundational Covenant that produced the Greatest most Free Country in the World; our Constitutional Republic of the United States of America!
Those farm, ski resort, and maple syrup workers who come into the grocery store look way different from the avg SNAP user: These workers are strong, alert, know how to buy food to cook, understand money, and shop together with their wives, their kids are generally well-behaved. They stink because they work hard at their jobs before coming to the store. I hardly ever smell anyone’s sweat in the checkout aisle the way they sweat. They buy tons of hand and feet warmers b/c they work outdoors.
I don’t envy them, and I have no problem waiting on them tho they can be overwhelming at times. What I am saying is that they definitely are NOT like our young people who walk around like zombies and generally have social issues, ie won’t look at you when you speak to them.
I don’t know what happened to Americans and their work ethic. It’s not like foreigners don’t have smartphones. There is a big difference in how they motivate.
I wanna know what two “Burlington non-profits” are receiving 1.5 mill of our taxpayer dollars!!?? I guarantee we could do without them.