This story by Cassandra Hemenway was first published in The Bridge on June 24.
Overshadowed by the recent detention of two migrant workers in Vermont, the annual mobile Mexican Consulate event at Christ Church in Montpelier brought at least 132 people from around Vermont to the capital city on Saturday, June 21. Notably fewer people attended compared to last year, when over 200 attended.
Organizers and participants alike were palpably aware of the June 14 detentions of the two members of Migrant Justice (a sponsor of the event). In prior years, the event would spill into the Christ Church courtyard, with food, tables for eating and socializing, music, outdoor health checks and up to three entrances into the building. This year — because of heightened awareness of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol that have increased under the Trump administration — there was only one entrance and exit, according to Deb Jerard, a Christ Church co-warden.
Peppy fiddle notes rang from the courtyard, thanks to the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra and Make Music Day, a local event happening at the same time, but organizers decided to keep everything else inside the building.
Asked if the church felt like it needed extra precautions this year, Gerard responded “Yeah, we were more concerned, definitely.”
Nonetheless, Gerard said, the Boston-based Mexican consulate, which holds mobile events throughout New England, “kept reassuring us that they have not had any problem with these events.”
Security was also on hand, according to a staff member from Migrant Justice, and there were a couple of incidents that made people jumpy. One volunteer at the event told another that someone had been in the building “taking notes” — then realized at least two reporters had stopped by. Another told a Mexican consulate worker about a “suspicious vehicle” — a large black SUV with dark tinted windows — that had been idling behind the church for 30 minutes. (It turned out not to be an issue).
One participant, Olga (who asked that The Bridge not use her last name), noted that the risk of an ICE detention is on everyone’s minds right now.
“Given the current political situation, there’s nowhere that’s safe, whether we’re at home in bed, or here at the consulate, there’s always the risk of detention,” Olga said, through a translator.
Olga said she came to the event to update some documents, and while there, also got a blood glucose test from Bridges to Health, a migrant health program through the University of Vermont Extension.
“I also come in to help share information about Migrant Justice and knowing your rights with my communities,” she said.
Bridges to Health had three medical providers on hand, and was joined by the People’s Health and Wellness Clinic (a free clinic in Barre), which offered vaccinations, noted Naomi Wolcott-MacCausland, who oversees migrant health programs with Bridges to Health.
“When the consulate comes to this area, I coordinate the health there, which is an opportunity for people to get health screenings, consult with a doctor, or get vaccines while they’re waiting for their documents with the Mexican government to get processed,” Wolcott-MacCausland said. The program also helps people coordinate with their local health clinics and figure out health insurance, she noted.
After talking about her experience with the mobile Mexican consulate, Olga asked if she could say one more thing.
“I wanted to mention that as a community right now, we’re fighting against the detention of two of our leaders, Jose “Nacho” Ignacio De La Cruz and Heidi Perez, a father and stepdaughter. That’s something I want to make sure everyone’s aware of. And for my part, I’m a mother and I’m putting myself in the position of Heidi’s mother and Nacho’s partner who’s still here, free, but crying and heartbroken. It’s devastating.”
Olga said she is asking for community support to help free them and suggested visiting migrantjustice.net for updates and more information.
