In late December, Cruz Alberto Sanchez-Perez, a dairy farmer known at “Beto” who’s worked in Vermont since 2016, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he left a court hearing for a traffic stop unrrelated to his immigration status. He is now facing deportation.
A member of the Burlington-based advocacy nonprofit Migrant Justice, Sanchez-Perez is also a valued member of the Pride Center of Vermont community. States a January 23 press release:
Pride Center of Vermont has come to know Beto through our work to improve services for LGBTQ+ migrant farmworkers. Beto has been actively involved with Pride Center of Vermont by helping to develop programs for LGBTQ+ migrants in Addison County. He has also participated in workshops with Pride Center of Vermont staff with the goal of improving the ability of local service agencies to serve Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ clients.
Beto is a valued member of both migrant and LGBTQ+ communities. He has the initiative and leadership abilities that make him stand out as a leader in the groups in which he participates. As such, we have found him to be the kind of person who works effectively to make Vermont a better, more equitable, and more welcoming place for all of its residents. He is an asset to our community who deserves our love and support, especially during this trying time.
Pride Center, states the release, “is concerned that the detention and potential deportation of Cruz Alberto ‘Beto’ Sanchez-Perez will not only expose him to imminent danger, but will also highly impact the feeling of safety for LGBTQ+ immigrants across Vermont. His detention has already deprived Vermont of a valued and constructive community member.”
According to Vermont’s Seven Days, “Marita Canedo from Migrant Justice said the migrant advocacy organization is in regular contact with Sanchez-Perez to offer him support. An online petition calling for public support for his release has garnered more than 1,000 signatures.”
