Feb. 6 panel to discuss immigration issues for Vermont employers
January 31, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Photo courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The state’s newly formed Task Force on the Federal Transition will convene a webinar for Vermont employers on Feb. 6 aimed at reviewing key steps workplaces can take to be prepared for a visit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
The task force created by state Treasurer Mike Pieciak will be co-hosted by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.
The session will provide an opportunity for Vermont employers to discuss their rights, obligations, and steps they can take to prepare for a worksite visit from ICE.
Included in the panel will be Vermont and national immigration experts, according to the event announcement.
“The Trump Administration’s attacks on immigrants have stoked fear, confusion, and distrust throughout Vermont’s communities,” Pieciak said. “These measures could have a profound impact on our economy, particularly our agricultural sector and housing development, both of which rely heavily on immigrant labor to support their workforce. I’m honored to partner with local and national experts to help ensure Vermont employers and their workers know what to do should ICE come knocking.”
Panelists participating in the event will include:
Sue Minter, co-chair of the Treasurer’s Task Force on the Federal Transition, former executive director of Capstone Community Action
Jill Martin-Diaz, task force member and executive director of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project
Kelli Duehning, an attorney with the San Francisco law firm Berry Appleman & Leiden and an expert on government immigration policies and employer immigration obligations
Nicole Killoran, a Vermont Law and Graduate School professor and director of the Vermont Small Business Law Center
Jonathan Rose solicitor general with the Vermont Attorney General’s office
Mike Webster Immigration Program Specialist with the Association of Africans Living in Vermont
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Executive Director Roxanne Vought stressed that many businesses in Vermont are uncertain about the new federal policies and their impact. “Businesses and communities across Vermont have pressing questions about the implications of recent federal policy. We hope this webinar will clarify what is required of employers, help them prepare for a possible ICE visitation, and equip Vermonters with resources to protect their rights – including employer and employee privacy.”
Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Amy Spear highlighted the importance of providing employers with resources to handle the complexities of federal policies. "Vermont employers are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, making it essential for them to have the knowledge and resources needed to stay informed. The Vermont Chamber is proud to partner on this webinar to provide expert insights that will help employers understand their rights, responsibilities, and best practices in the event of an ICE visit.”
Pieciak recently announced the creation of the Task Force on the Federal Transition to assess the economic impact of new federal actions under the Trump Administration. Immigration is among the priority issues it has identified so far given Vermont’s tight labor market and the contributions new Americans make in many sectors of the state’s economy.
The webinar will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The format will involve 30 minutes for questions/answers from attendees. Sign up to attend the online event here. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Task Force website to be viewed later as well.