Immigrants in Vermont are now much more hesitant to cross the northern border, as of July 31, 2025. This shift comes after a year of tougher federal border enforcement, new state laws, and changing migration patterns that have made crossing riskier and more complicated for many.
Federal enforcement has become much stricter in 2025, with the U.S. Border Patrol reporting a sharp drop in illegal crossings nationwide, including at the northern border near Vermont. State lawmakers have also passed new bills to help immigrants, but many still feel uncertain about their safety and future.
Sharp Increase, Then Decline, in Northern Border Apprehensions
In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 23,721 people trying to cross the northern border illegally. This was a big jump from previous years, but it still made up only about 1.5% of all border apprehensions in the United States 🇺🇸. However, by early 2025, the number of people caught at the border dropped sharply. For example, in February 2025, the number of people caught at the southwest border fell by 71% compared to January, and by 94% compared to February 2024. These numbers show how new federal policies are making it much harder for people to cross the border and stay in the country.
The federal government, under President Biden, has focused on border security and quick deportation for those caught crossing illegally. New executive orders have made it clear that people who try to cross the border without permission will be sent back quickly and will not get many chances to try again. The Department of Defense has also helped by sending more patrols to all U.S. borders, including the northern border near Vermont.
Vermont’s Response: New Laws and Support for Immigrants
While federal enforcement has become tougher, Vermont has tried to help immigrants living in the state. In 2025, lawmakers passed several bills to make life safer and fairer for immigrants:
- S.56/H.375 (2025): This new law creates the Office of New Americans (ONA) in Vermont. The ONA will help immigrants find the services they need, share important information, and connect them with community support. Before this office, many immigrants struggled to get help because services were scattered and hard to find.
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S.44 (2025): This law limits how much Vermont agencies can work with federal immigration officers, like ICE. It means local police and other state workers cannot help with civil immigration enforcement unless there is a serious crime involved. This makes Vermont feel safer for immigrants compared to some other states.
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S.127 (2025): This law adds citizenship and immigration status as protected classes in Vermont’s housing laws. It aims to stop landlords from discriminating against immigrants when they look for a place to live.
These laws show that Vermont wants to welcome immigrants and protect their rights, even as federal rules become stricter.
Why Immigrants Are More Reluctant to Cross the Northern Border
Despite Vermont’s efforts, many immigrants in the state are now afraid to cross the northern border. The main reasons include:
- Stronger Federal Enforcement: The U.S. Border Patrol has more officers and better technology along the northern border. People caught crossing illegally are now deported much faster, with fewer chances to ask for asylum or other help.
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Rapid Deportation Policies: New executive orders mean that people who cross the border without permission are sent back quickly, often without a chance to see a judge or get legal advice.
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Lack of Centralized Services (Until Now): Before the Office of New Americans was created, immigrants had trouble finding help with legal issues, housing, or health care. This made it even riskier to cross the border, since people did not know where to turn if they got into trouble.
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Fear of Discrimination: Even with new housing protections, some immigrants still worry about being treated unfairly because of their status, especially if they are caught up in federal enforcement actions.
Voices from the Community
Advocacy groups in Vermont, such as the Vermont Alliance for Immigrant Justice (VAAP), ACLU Vermont, and Migrant Justice, have spoken out about these challenges. They support the new state laws and push for more help for immigrants. A spokesperson for VAAP said, “We see every day how fear of deportation keeps families apart and stops people from seeking the help they need. The new Office of New Americans is a good step, but we need to make sure it works for everyone.”
The Vermont Agency of Administration, which will oversee the new office, says it is working to make services easier to find and use. “Our goal is to make Vermont a place where immigrants feel safe and supported,” an agency official explained.
Background: Vermont’s Place in National Immigration Trends
Vermont has never had as many illegal border crossings as states along the southern border. But in recent years, the number of people trying to cross the northern border has gone up. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the increase in 2024 was the highest in years, though still small compared to the southwest border.
The federal government’s new focus on rapid deportation and more patrols has changed things quickly. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these policies have led to a sharp drop in illegal crossings nationwide, including Vermont’s northern border. The message is clear: crossing the border without permission is now much riskier, and people are more likely to be sent back right away.
What These Changes Mean for Immigrants in Vermont
For immigrants living in Vermont, these changes have real effects:
- More Risk at the Border: People who might have tried to cross the northern border in the past are now much less likely to do so. The risk of being caught and deported is higher than ever.
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Harder to Get Legal Help: Until the new Office of New Americans is fully running, immigrants may still have trouble finding lawyers or other help if they get into trouble with immigration authorities.
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Housing Remains a Challenge: Even with new laws against discrimination, many immigrants still struggle to find affordable housing, especially if they do not have legal status.
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Community Tensions: Some immigrants worry that increased federal enforcement could lead to more fear and mistrust in their communities, even if Vermont’s state laws are more welcoming.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Vermont and Its Immigrants
The next steps for Vermont include:
- Setting Up the Office of New Americans: This office is expected to start helping immigrants find services, legal help, and community support. If it works well, it could make Vermont a model for other states.
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Watching Federal Enforcement: As long as the federal government keeps up strict border policies, immigrants will likely remain cautious about crossing the northern border.
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Possible New Laws: Vermont lawmakers may look for more ways to protect immigrants and make services easier to use, depending on how the new office and laws work in practice.
Practical Tips for Immigrants in Vermont
- Stay Informed: Immigrants should keep up with changes in both state and federal laws. The Vermont Agency of Administration and groups like VAAP can provide updates and advice.
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Know Your Rights: Groups like ACLU Vermont offer information about what to do if you are stopped by immigration officers. It is important to know your rights and have a plan.
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Seek Help Early: If you have questions about your status or need legal help, reach out to the new Office of New Americans or trusted advocacy groups as soon as possible.
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Be Careful at the Border: With increased patrols and rapid deportation policies, crossing the northern border without permission is now much riskier. Think carefully and get legal advice before making any decisions.
Where to Find More Information
For official information about border enforcement and immigration policies, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. This site has up-to-date statistics, policy changes, and contact details for people seeking help.
In summary, Vermont immigrants are now much more reluctant to cross the northern border due to stricter federal enforcement, new state laws, and ongoing challenges in finding support. While Vermont is working to make life better for immigrants, the risks at the border remain high, and careful planning is more important than ever.
Learn Today
U.S. Border Patrol → Federal agency responsible for securing U.S. borders and preventing illegal immigration and smuggling.
Office of New Americans (ONA) → A Vermont state office created to centralize immigrant services and improve community support.
Executive Orders → Directives issued by the U.S. president to manage federal government operations and policies.
Rapid Deportation → Federal policy enforcing quick removal of unauthorized border crossers with limited legal review.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency handling immigration enforcement and removals.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, Vermont immigrants face increased risks crossing the northern border due to stricter federal enforcement and new state laws offering protections, including a new immigrant support office. Despite these efforts, fast deportations and stronger patrols discourage migration, reshaping regional immigration dynamics with significant community impacts and ongoing challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com
