Migrant Justice is excited to announce a number of important human rights victories in recent months. Despite their role as essential workers, immigrant farmworkers are criminalized by the government and targeted for deportation. But through Migrant Justice, farmworkers are fighting back to stop their deportations and defend their community from attack.| migrantjustice.net
Hundreds of farmworkers and allies rallied in an emergency mobilization demanding the release of eight dairy workers arrested in their home by Border Patrol agents earlier this week. As farmworkers led the march through downtown Burlington, their chants reverberated: “When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”| migrantjustice.net
On the evening of April 21st, armed Border Patrol agents entered a Vermont dairy farm and detained eight farmworkers. This is the largest single immigration arrest of farmworkers – and one of the largest worksite arrests – in recent Vermont history. The eight workers are now held in detention and at risk of deportation. | migrantjustice.net
“Because you fought for our freedom with your whole hearts…”: Nacho and Heidi are free!| migrantjustice.net
“Because you fought for our freedom with your whole hearts…”: Nacho and Heidi are free!| migrantjustice.net
Nacho and Heidi are free! After nearly a month behind bars following an unjust and illegal Border Patrol detention, they are back where they belong: with their family, their community, and in the struggle for human rights.| migrantjustice.net
Heidi and Nacho have won their freedom and will soon be released, after nearly a month behind bars. The two Migrant Justice leaders received hearings in immigration court today, resulting in a judge granting them bond and ordering their release.| migrantjustice.net
Community leaders Nacho and Heidi were violently detained by Border Patrol while delivering food to local farmworkers. Agents stopped over without cause, smashed their window, and pulled them out of their car. For the past two weeks, they have been unjustly held in detention.| migrantjustice.net
After this spring’s breakthroughs in the campaign inviting Hannaford Supermarket to join the Milk with Dignity Program, we are taking the campaign on the road. Migrant Justice is announcing a series of pickets this summer to expand the reach of the Milk with Dignity campaign. Join farmworkers at a Hannaford near you for the Milk with Dignity Summer Series! | migrantjustice.net
On June 16th, less than two days after the violent and unlawful detention of Nacho and Heidi, hundreds gathered in front of the Vermont State House in an emergency rally demanding freedom for the Migrant Justice leaders. In an emotionally-charged event, loved ones spoke out against the government’s cruel separation of families as chants reverberated through the streets of the state capital: “Nacho, Heidi, no están solos!” You are not alone!| migrantjustice.net
Two Migrant Justice leaders were detained by Border Patrol agents in Vermont on June 14th. Jose Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz was driving with his stepdaughter Heidi Perez in Franklin County when they were pulled over. Agents smashed their car window and violently detained the two community leaders. Both are now at risk of imminent deportation. Send a message to ICE to free Nacho and Heidi!| migrantjustice.net
As U.S. Marines patrol the streets of Los Angeles to repress dissent against ICE raids, it is clear that attacks on immigrant communities and their defenders will continue to escalate under this administration. Vermont is not exempt from these intensifying attacks, yet despite the risks, immigrant communities refuse to be silenced. | migrantjustice.net
Max, José, and Arbey – three of the nine workers detained by Border Patrol in Franklin County last month – are now safely back in Vermont, thanks to overwhelming community support! Thousands of people signed petitions and marched in the streets demanding their release from immigration detention.| migrantjustice.net
Press Contacts| migrantjustice.net
Farmworker to be freed from immigration detention: Community celebrates ruling while continuing to fight for others’ release| migrantjustice.net
Migrant Justice has had a breakthrough week in the long-running campaign to bring Hannaford Supermarket into the Milk with Dignity Program. From the Hannaford headquarters in Maine, to the shareholder meeting of parent company Ahold Delhaize in the Netherlands, farmworkers have made their voices heard.| migrantjustice.net
The Vermont legislature is considering a bill to expand housing access for immigrant families. Developed by Migrant Justice and supported by dozens of organizations and agencies, the proposal would stop discrimination against immigrants and prevent landlords from asking about immigration status.| migrantjustice.net
This has been a busy month for Migrant Justice. We are moving forward the fight for justice and human rights on all fronts, whether in the Vermont State House advancing a bill to expand housing access for immigrant families, in the press announcing the launch of the Building Dignity and Respect Program in the state’s construction industry, or on the streets responding to the increase in immigration surveillance and arrests.| migrantjustice.net
Vermont Construction Company – one of the largest and fastest-growing builders in the state – has committed to join a program setting labor and housing standards for construction workers. The Building Dignity and Respect Program will soon provide enforceable rights protections for the hundreds of workers on Vermont Construction sites.| migrantjustice.net
Vermont Construction Company has signed an agreement of cooperation announcing its commitment to become the first Vermont builder to join a worker-driven program monitoring and enforcing labor and housing standards. The commitment will bring the Building Dignity and Respect Program to Vermont’s fast-growing construction industry and provide much-needed protections to a sector lacking in regulation.| migrantjustice.net
On January 10th, Migrant Justice kicked off the 2025 legislative session in the Vermont State House by calling on elected officials to remove the discriminatory barriers that keep immigrant families stuck in substandard housing. | migrantjustice.net
This past fall, dairy workers led over a dozen pickets of Hannaford Supermarkets around the region to demand Milk with Dignity. Hundreds of allies joined the actions, marching, chanting, and adding their voices to immigrant farmworkers’ call for human rights and economic justice. The new video showcases the inspiring campaign to expand the successful Milk with Dignity Program.| migrantjustice.net
Migrant Justice celebrates the seven-year anniversary of the Milk with Dignity Program! On October 3rd, 2017, farmworkers stood side-by-side with the CEO of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream to sign the first Milk with Dignity agreement and launch this transformational program.| migrantjustice.net
The Milk with Dignity Month of Action has begun. In the coming weeks, farmworkers will lead pickets of Hannaford Supermarkets demanding that the company stop abuses in its dairy supply chain by joining the Milk with Dignity Program. Workers are urging customers to respect the picket line and to refrain from shopping at Hannaford while workers and allies are picketing.| migrantjustice.net
Migrant Justice is excited to publish preliminary results from our latest survey of labor and housing conditions of immigrant dairy workers in Vermont. The survey results demonstrate the dire conditions in the dairy industry – including in Hannaford Supermarket's dairy supply chain – and emphasize the need for companies to join the Milk with Dignity Program.| migrantjustice.net
Migrant Justice has announced a Month of Action for the Milk with Dignity campaign for this fall. Throughout October, farmworkers and allies will hold protests in front of Hannaford Supermarkets and urge customers not to cross the picket line and not to shop at the store. This is a major step in the campaign and will show Hannaford executives that consumers stand with farmworkers demanding Milk with Dignity – and are willing to withhold their purchasing power when asked!| migrantjustice.net
Following the summer’s shocking case of violence against a farmworker family, Migrant Justice is calling for a month of action at Hannaford Supermarkets to demand Milk with Dignity. Throughout October, farmworkers and allies will picket stores, urging customers not to cross the picket line and not to shop at Hannaford.| migrantjustice.net
For years, farmworkers have called on Hannaford Supermarkets to take responsibility for the rights and well-being of the workers behind Hannaford-brand milk by joining the Milk with Dignity Program. Hannaford has responded that participation in Milk with Dignity is unnecessary, because the company’s “Standards of Engagement” sufficiently protect workers’ rights.| Migrant Justice / Justicia Migrante
On April 10th, the Board of Directors and top executives of Ahold Delhaize, the multinational conglomerate that owns Hannaford Supermarkets, will gather in Amsterdam for their annual shareholder meeting – and Migrant Justice will be in town to meet them!| migrantjustice.net
