Thursday, February 2, 2017
That question was on the minds of more than 100 people — mostly from refugee communities — who attended an information session on immigration rights Thursday night at the Association of Africans Living in Vermont in Burlington's Old North End. They wondered what would happen if they leave the country.
Vermont Legal Aid and the Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department organized the session to address concerns from the community after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that closed the U.S. to refugees and nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Arthur C. Edersheim and Erin Jacobsen, attorneys from the South Royalton Legal Clinic; Michele Jenness, legal services coordinator at the AALV; and Jay Diaz, a staff attorney with the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, each gave a short presentation on the travel and immigration ramifications of the executive order.
Representatives of Vermont's congressional delegation also affirmed their commitment to helping those who are affected by the changes. Many attendees took down the contact information of the attorneys and delegates.
A lively hourlong question-and-answer session ensued. A Muslim man said he was worried he would not be granted citizenship because of his religion. A Somali-born parent wondered if her U.S-born children would be stripped of their citizenship. A Bhutanese woman said she wants to bring her husband, who's a Nepali citizen, to Vermont.
Despite the attorneys' repeated assurances that U.S. green card holders will not be affected by the executive order, many Bhutanese attendees, including those who have already acquired U.S. citizenship, were worried they would be barred entry into the U.S. after visiting their relatives in Nepal.
As a safety precaution, Diaz advised green card holders whose country of origin is one of the seven countries to inform family members or friends of their travel plans, in hopes they can get them assistance if they're detained.
Tags: ACLU , AALV , Vermont Legal Aid , immigration , Image , Web Only
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Monday, January 30, 2017
His legal team, together with Attorney General T.J. Donovan, will also consider challenging Trump’s travel ban in court if they conclude that it’s unconstitutional. The temporary ban prohibits refugees, as well as citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, from entering the United States.
To further study whether the ban is unconstitutional or unlawful, the governor is creating a “Civil Rights and Criminal Justice Cabinet” that will include legislative leaders, members of Scott’s cabinet, the defender general and law enforcement leaders.
“We believe we need all hands on deck,” Scott said in an interview Monday evening. “This isn’t about trying to make a name for ourselves … it’s about trying to protect Vermonters and Americans alike.”
Tags: Phil Scott , Donald Trump , American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont , immigration ban , Image , Web Only
Gov. Phil Scott and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Monday called President Donald Trump’s executive order halting refugee resettlement and banning immigration from seven Muslim nations unconstitutional.
The bipartisan condemnations came during separate events in different parts of the state. Scott, a Republican, addressed the presidential action Monday afternoon while addressing business leaders at Rutland’s Southside Steakhouse.
“I think this infringes upon our constitutional rights,” Scott said in response to reporters’ questions. “So we’re looking for — seeking ways to push back.”
Trump’s executive order, issued last Friday, halted the resettlement of 25 Syrian families in Rutland. Two families relocated to the city in the week before the order was issued.
Speaking earlier that day at the Community Health Centers of Burlington, Welch said he also viewed Trump’s action as unconstitutional.
Tags: Senator , Phil Scott , Peter Welch , Patrick Leahy , Bernie Sanders , Donald Trump , executive order , immigration , refugees , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Last week, two Syrian families arrived in Rutland from a Jordanian refugee camp, after months of heated debate in the city. They were to be the first of an expected 25 families.
But Louras, who has staked his mayoral legacy on his plan to make Rutland a refugee resettlement hub, said the plan appears to be dead after multiple media outlets reported that Trump plans to sign an executive order to stop accepting refugees from Syria. The Associated Press reported that he further intends to temporarily suspend immigration from several other predominantly-Muslim countries.
“I think that these first two families are the only two families,” Louras said. Barring some unexpected development, he continued, “I’d say it’s the end of refugee resettlement for Rutland. While not a shock, it certainly is just as much a kick in the gut as if it had been a surprise.”
Tags: Rutland , refugees , Chris Louras , Syrian , refugee resettlement , Trump , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
“I am committed to doing whatever it takes to put us on a new path to a more prosperous future,” Scott told a joint session of the House and Senate.
That, he said, would require level-funding for most state agencies — as well as for public school budgets. The latter have long been controlled by local communities.
The much-anticipated, 43-minute address offered the first indication of how Scott — a Berlin Republican who took office January 5 — would meet his campaign promise to be fiscally prudent while protecting the most vulnerable.
Tags: Phil Scott , Tim Ashe , Vermont legislature , state budget , school funding , Town Meeting Day , Dave Sharpe , Vermont State Colleges , Image , Web Only
The South Burlington City Council voted 3-2 Monday to pass a resolution intended to raise strong concerns about the continued purchase and demolition of homes near Burlington International Airport under a federal noise-mitigation program.
Councilors Meaghan Emery, Tim Barritt and council chair Helen Riehle voted for the resolution. Councilors Tom Chittenden and Pat Nowak voted against it, saying they feared it could jeopardize or slow home sales for property owners who are eager to sell under the Federal Aviation Administration program.
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Monday, January 23, 2017
In a motion filed Monday, McAllister sought to withdraw the plea agreement that he signed January 10 on the eve of his second trial for sexual assault.
According to the motion written by his new defense attorney Robert Katims, McAllister is innocent and his attorneys pressured him to sign the deal after a long day in court.
Tags: Norm McAllister , sex assualt , politics , Image , Web Only
“It was a learning experience for everyone,” Batchelor says. “We had a wonderful, wonderful, eye-opening experience.”
The event was called the Convention of States, and it was meant to be a model of what’s called an Article V Convention. There are two ways to amend the Constitution: the first begins with Congress adopting an amendment. But under the Constitution’s Article V, the states may also initiate a convention. This has never happened in American history and legal scholars disagree over some key aspects of the process.
The COS took place in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was organized by a group called Citizens for Self-Governance — which, according to the left-leaning Center for Media and Democracy, has ties to the Tea Party movement, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the conservative mega-donors Charles and David Koch.
Tags: Convention of States , American Legislative Exchange Council , Koch brothers , Bob Helm , Lynn Batchelor , Vicki Strong , Citizens for Self-Governance , Fair Game Extra , Image , Web Only
Saturday, January 21, 2017
“The election result was so negative,” lamented Nina Brundage, an 18-year-old student from Waterbury. “But now there’s a positive movement coming out of it.”
Tags: Women's March , Donald Trump , Washington D.C. , senator , Patrick Leahy , Image , Slideshow , Web Only