US EditionVermont School Superintendent Detained While Returning From Trip
HOUSTON, TEXAS, JUL 22 – Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was held over five hours without explanation, denied legal counsel, and had his devices seized during a return from Nicaragua, officials said.
- On Monday night, Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while returning from Nicaragua.
- Amid recent family self-deportations to Nicaragua, Chavarria, a U.S. citizen since 2018, questioned aspects of his marriage and employment status during detention.
- During the five-hour interrogation, he was denied legal help and a phone call, Chavarria said.
- The Winooski School District Board condemned the treatment as `deeply disturbing and unacceptable`, and Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas called it `a terrifying reminder of this administration's agenda of denying due process`.
- He said his experience has reshaped expectations for Black and brown immigrant students and families in Winooski, indicating increased concern over civil rights and future travel safety.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Vermont school superintendent detained for hours at Houston’s Bush Airport
Wilmer Chavarria says he was held and questioned for 4-5 hours this week at Bush Intercontinental Airport, despite being a naturalized U.S. citizen who'd previously completed the interview and verification process for the Customs and Border Control's Global Entry program.
Border agents detained a Vermont superintendent and searched his devices.
Wilmer Chavarria, who has been a U.S. citizen since 2018, said border agents questioned whether he was really a superintendent, and that they demanded he give them the passwords to his devices, including his district-issued laptop.
The Advocate
Out MagazineOutrage after border agents subject detained gay Vermont superintendent to hours of ‘psychological terror’
Local officials and national lawmakers are expressing anger over U.S. citizen Wilmer Chavarria’s “deeply disturbing” encounter while returning from vacation with his husband.
In the wake of ICE’s crackdown, students come together
Editor’s note: On Tuesday, the Winooski School District Board of Trustees issued a statement regarding the recent detention and interrogation of Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The board was informed Tuesday morning that despite being a…
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