Lawmakers note recent Border Patrol detentions of Vermont farmworkers; member urges attention to migrant rights

On April 25 a member of the Vermont House drew the chamber’s attention to recent detentions of farmworkers by U.S. Border Patrol in Franklin County.

The member from Essex read a statement saying Border Patrol “recently detained 8 workers on a dairy farm in Franklin County,” and recounted an earlier stop in which federal agents detained community member Arve (referred to in testimony as Advay) Lopez while he was driving to deliver groceries to farm workers. The floor remarks said agents “threatened to break his car windows and ultimately pulled him out of his vehicle.” The member described Lopez as a longtime member of the farmworker community and an organizer with Migrant Justice who has worked on campaigns for driver’s licenses, protections against discrimination and the Milk with Dignity program.

The remarks on the floor were an announcement and a reading of a press release; the House did not take formal action during the session. The member urged attention to the detentions and noted the local human‑rights and farmworker advocacy work associated with the detained individual.

Clarifying details: the incident referenced by the member was reported as occurring in Franklin County; the member identified the detained community member as Arve/Advay Lopez and referenced Migrant Justice as his affiliation. No lawmaker named a specific federal office action or requested an official legislative investigation on the floor during the session.

Next steps: none recorded in the transcript; the remarks were a floor announcement and did not trigger committee referral or an immediate legislative response.