Undocumented dairy farm workers in Vermont face escalating immigration enforcement, leading to mass arrests, detentions, and a pervasive climate of fear that confines them to farms, despite their critical role in the state's dairy industry.
Last spring, a major immigration arrest at Pleasant Valley Farms, Vermont's largest dairy, saw José Edilberto Molina-Aguilar and five co-workers detained by US Customs and Border Protection, despite Molina-Aguilar possessing asylum paperwork. This incident, described as the largest of its kind in recent Vermont history, highlights a drastic increase in immigration detentions in the state, with figures soaring tenfold from 2024 to 2025. While officials denied it was a 'raid,' advocates argue otherwise, pointing to the mass arrests. This surge in enforcement under the Trump administration has created a climate of fear among Vermont's undocumented dairy laborers, particularly along the Canadian border. Workers describe feeling isolated and confined to their farms, fearing even short trips off-property for necessities like medical appointments or groceries. One worker hadn't left his farm in two years due to this fear. The article details several harrowing experiences: Molina-Aguilar's release after over a month in detention, now wearing an ICE ankle monitor, while his co-workers were deported; and José Ignacio 'Nacho' De La Cruz's arrest, where CBP agents allegedly smashed his car window and handcuffed him and his stepdaughter during a food delivery, an incident his attorney claims was racial profiling. De La Cruz, a lifeline to many isolated workers, later faced charges for allegedly aiding border crossings. Despite their essential role in the dairy industry, recognized by state officials, these workers face immense pressure. Programs like 'Milk With Dignity' aim to improve conditions but cannot alleviate the constant threat of detention. Many workers, like Molina-Aguilar who fled gang violence in Mexico, face difficult asylum processes with dwindling approval rates. The increasing difficulty of border crossings also traps workers in the US longer than intended. The story paints a stark picture of essential laborers living in fear, forced to adapt their lives, even playing soccer out of sight of patrolling immigration agents, as they contribute to Vermont's vital dairy sector.
