Community Response to ICE Arrests in Manchester, Vermont: Rallying Support for Detained Families
Two women were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Manchester, Vermont. Jill Martin Diaz from the Vermont Asylum Assistance Network confirmed the arrests and mentioned that at least one of the individuals detained is a parent of young children. One of the women arrested is Davona Williams, also known as Candy, who is originally from Jamaica and has been living in the United States for 18 years. Williams, 42, is currently held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility on a federal immigration hold.
The presence of ICE enforcement in Manchester came as a surprise to the town and the police department, according to Scott Murphy, the town manager. The community is rallying to support the family and children of the detained individuals by offering counseling services and reaching out to the local food pantry for assistance. Will Lambek from Migrant Justice described the ICE arrests in Manchester as part of a larger pattern of detentions happening across the state, with reports of additional arrests in Rutland and Winooski.
The actions of ICE in Manchester have sparked fear and concern among immigrant families and their supporters. Migrant Justice is calling on Vermonters to stand up against these detentions and protect their neighbors. The identities of the other individual arrested in Manchester and further details on the arrests remain unconfirmed. Requests for comments from ICE officials and the Manchester police chief have not been answered.