Immigration (Sanctuary Policies) in Vermont

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 864: An act relating to immigration agreements with the federal government

H.864 prohibits Vermont public agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration laws or house individuals facing civil immigration violations, requiring only the Governor (with the Attorney General) to authorize such agreements. It bans the collection or sharing of personally identifying information (including immigration status) with federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes and invalidates any existing agreements conflicting with these rules. The bill does not prevent compliance with federal laws requiring disclosure of immigration information (like 8 U.S.C. § 1373), but state policies conflicting with such federal requirements are abolished. This directly affects all Vermont state and local government agencies, employees, and contractors.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 850: An act relating to immigration enforcement

Vermont's H.850 requires federal immigration authorities (like ICE) to obtain a judicial warrant naming a specific person before entering nonpublic areas of schools, hospitals, public libraries, or childcare centers. It prohibits employees of these sensitive locations from granting access without such a warrant, directing supervisors to review warrants before allowing entry. The bill also restricts the Department of Corrections from assisting federal immigration authorities beyond what federal law permits, effectively terminating existing cooperation agreements. This policy change directly affects Vermont's schools, healthcare facilities, libraries, childcare centers, and the state's corrections system regarding federal immigration interactions.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 742: An act relating to providing legal representation in federal immigration proceedings

Vermont's H.742 would require the state to create a program providing free legal representation to people detained in Vermont during federal immigration proceedings. The program, managed by the Office of Defender General with two staff attorneys, would specifically assist "covered individuals" who are Vermont residents or detained in Vermont for immigration enforcement. It mandates funding for legal services including support staff, expert consultants, and social services to help immigrants navigate complex immigration court cases. This policy aims to address the current reality where most detained immigrants lack legal help, which significantly reduces their chances of winning release or relief from deportation.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 745: An act relating to immigration enforcement

This bill requires federal immigration authorities to obtain a judicial warrant before entering nonpublic areas of Vermont's schools, healthcare facilities, polling places, public libraries, or childcare centers. It also prohibits Vermont's Department of Corrections from assisting federal immigration enforcement beyond what federal law permits and limits civil arrests in government buildings. The Human Rights Commission must create a model policy for sensitive locations by April 2027, guiding institutions on refusing warrantless access requests. These provisions directly affect federal immigration agents, Vermont schools, healthcare providers, and other sensitive location operators.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 227: An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools

S.227 requires all Vermont public and approved independent schools to adopt policies preventing the sharing of student information with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant. It prohibits schools from collecting immigration status data, designating such information as "directory information" under federal privacy law, or sharing student records with immigration agencies except as legally required. The bill mandates schools to provide immigration resources to staff and students, designate staff as immigration resource officers, and block federal agents from entering nonpublic school areas (like classrooms or cafeterias) without a warrant naming a specific individual. Schools are also barred from entering agreements that aid federal immigration enforcement, with the superintendent as the sole authority to approve any required federal agreements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 209: An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations

This bill prohibits civil arrests (arrests for civil matters like court appearances) in specific sensitive locations, including schools, shelters, health care facilities, government buildings, and court proceedings. It directly affects individuals visiting these locations, law enforcement officers, and civil courts by restricting arrests in those settings. Key provisions define "civil arrest" and allow exceptions for judicial warrants, contempt of court, or maintaining safety in court. Violations could lead to contempt charges or civil lawsuits for false imprisonment. The law applies immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

signed · Vermont · Senate May 23, 2025

S 44: An act relating to authorization to enter into certain immigration agreements

This bill clarifies Vermont's authority to enter federal immigration agreements. It states only the Governor (with the Attorney General's consultation) can authorize such agreements under federal law, except when local law enforcement needs to address immediate public safety threats during emergencies. The law prohibits all other state, county, or municipal agencies from entering these agreements without the Governor's specific approval. It directly affects Vermont's executive branch, law enforcement agencies, and any entity seeking to partner with federal immigration authorities. The change ensures centralized oversight of immigration-related agreements while allowing limited emergency exceptions.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · House Apr 25, 2025

H 511: An act relating to the admittance of federal immigration authorities into schools

H.511 proposes to require schools throughout Vermont to implement a policy regarding federal immigration authorities. This policy would restrict federal immigration authorities from entering nonpublic areas of school facilities. Access to these nonpublic areas would only be permitted if a judicial warrant is presented. The bill directly affects Vermont schools and federal immigration authorities seeking access to them.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 20, 2025

H 298: An act relating to restricting the Department of Corrections’ cooperation with federal immigration authorities

This bill restricts Vermont's Department of Corrections (DOC) from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It prohibits DOC staff from contacting federal agencies about an individual's immigration status, prolonging detention to investigate status, or accepting requests for immigration enforcement support. The DOC must terminate existing agreements with federal immigration authorities within 30 days and submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing any federal requests for assistance. Additionally, the DOC must create staff training protocols and penalties for noncompliance with these restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Corrections Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 148: An act relating to expanding good samaritan protections concerning immigration

This bill prohibits Vermont law enforcement agencies, officers, and their representatives from using state resources (including personnel, equipment, or funds) to assist federal immigration authorities in civil or criminal immigration investigations or proceedings. It specifically applies to situations covered by existing Vermont laws protecting healthcare providers (12 V.S.A. § 7306) and overdose reporting (18 V.S.A. § 4254), expanding those "good Samaritan" protections to immigration contexts. Exceptions allow cooperation when responding to a valid judicial warrant or investigating a crime unrelated to immigration enforcement. The law directly affects Vermont police and sheriff's departments by restricting their collaboration with federal immigration agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

All immigration bills