Senator Becca White, D-Windsor, shared a poignant story during a recent Senate Judiciary Committee meeting at the Statehouse in Montpelier. She recounted an incident from over a decade ago when she was traveling through her district with some Brazilian friends and their car was stopped at an immigration checkpoint. The experience of being held at the checkpoint for four hours was eye-opening for White, who had never encountered such a situation before.
That memory, coupled with the current political climate and calls for mass deportations by President Donald Trump, has spurred Senator White to introduce a bill that would give the Legislature the power to approve or reject any partnerships between local and state agencies in Vermont and federal immigration officials. The bill, known as S.44, aims to provide a check on federal immigration enforcement activities and protect vulnerable communities in the state.
In explaining her motivation for the bill, Senator White shared that some of her constituents have expressed fear of leaving their homes due to concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She emphasized that it is the responsibility of lawmakers to prevent federal authorities from carrying out deportations that could harm immigrant communities. Senator White views this legislation as a moral imperative that aligns with Vermont’s values of inclusivity and compassion.
Currently, under a law passed during Trump’s presidency, the governor has the authority to enter into agreements with federal immigration authorities after consulting with the attorney general. While Vermont law enforcement policies limit collaboration with ICE, the Vermont Department of Corrections has a contract with federal agencies to detain immigrants. Senator White’s bill would transfer this decision-making power from the governor to the Legislature, allowing elected representatives to weigh in on any potential partnerships with ICE.
However, there are exceptions to this proposed law. In the event of a state or federal emergency, the Legislature would temporarily lose its authority over immigration partnerships. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about potential overreach with this bill but recognize the importance of limiting Vermont’s involvement with ICE and Border Patrol. Senator Nader Hashim, D-Windham, and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P Chittenden Central, both Democratic members of the committee, expressed support for further discussion on the bill to protect immigrant communities.
As the legislative session progresses, Democrats in the House have yet to outline their housing policy priorities for the year. A recent press conference held by House Democrats highlighted their achievements in housing policy thus far, including reforms to Act 250 and expanded shelter options for the homeless. However, specifics on upcoming housing legislation remain vague, with Rep. Marc Mihaly, D-Calais, indicating that a bill focusing on housing affordability, infrastructure, and homelessness is in the works.
Vermont’s Commissioner of Health, Mark Levine, addressed concerns about avian flu during a joint hearing of the House health care and agriculture committees. Levine reassured lawmakers that the risk of avian flu to the general public is low, although farm workers may face a higher risk of exposure. This discussion comes amidst heightened fears of a potential avian flu outbreak following the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In other legislative news, the Senate Appropriations Committee is reviewing H.141, the annual current budget tune-up, with updates expected to go to the Senate floor for a vote soon. Additionally, the Legislature passed its first bill, H.78, which would allow municipalities to elect officials by Australian ballot and retroactively validate past municipal elections. Notably, a town like Hyde Park is awaiting clarification on election procedures.
As the session progresses, lawmakers continue to engage in lively discussions on various topics, from immigration policy to housing priorities and public health concerns. These deliberations reflect the diverse challenges facing Vermont and the ongoing efforts to address them through legislative action. The voices of policymakers, experts, and constituents converge to shape the future of the state, highlighting the complexities and nuances of governance in a dynamic and ever-changing society.
