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Witnesses urge adding churches, shelters and libraries to Vermont bill protecting "sensitive locations" from civil arrest
Summary
Testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on S209 urged the statute to explicitly protect places of worship, youth shelters, libraries and polling places from civil immigration enforcement, with service providers and election officials citing safety, access to services and chilling effects on voting and care.
Supporters of S209 told the House Judiciary Committee on April 2 that state law should explicitly protect a wide array of community spaces from civil immigration enforcement.
Lee Sparrow, a pastor who works with refugees through St. Michael’s refugee ministry and ECDC, told lawmakers that houses of worship often serve as child-care sites, food pantries and emergency shelters and that refugee families’ experiences differ by country of origin. Sparrow said Afghans who entered as allies often feel secure, while Eritrean families are anxious about halted green-card processing. "I'm just hoping that you will include places of worship along with schools, along with places where vulnerable people gather," Sparrow said, urging the committee to account for sanctuary-like functions beyond Sunday services.
The bill’s supporters framed the issue as one of access and public safety. Mark Redmond, executive…
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