Vermont Police Maintain Order During Anti-ICE Protest

Authorities assisted federal agents in executing a warrant, drawing criticism from activists

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:22am

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Vermont state and local police were questioned by state lawmakers regarding their response to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in South Burlington earlier this month, where protesters attempted to obstruct federal authorities from executing a judicial warrant. Police Chief Bill Breault claimed he had no choice but to enlist the help of his department and other agencies to assist with crowd control, as the peaceful protest was infiltrated by "agitators" seeking to illegally obstruct the federal operation.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked debate over Vermont's "Fair and Impartial Policing Policy" and the role of local law enforcement in assisting federal immigration authorities. Activists argue the police response violated the policy, while authorities maintain they had to act to ensure public safety and the lawful execution of the federal warrant.

The details

During the March 11th ICE operation in South Burlington, federal agents were attempting to execute a warrant to apprehend a criminal illegal alien, but the suspect was not present. Three other occupants were reportedly apprehended on alleged immigration violations. Local anti-ICE activists, including Finn Lester-Niles, claim that if police had not been present, the crowd would have been able to stop the federal authorities from making the arrests. However, Burlington Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke accused some protesters of using the demonstration as a "Trojan Horse" to pursue their own illegal agenda, leading to an escalation that required the police response.

  • The ICE operation took place on March 11, 2026 in South Burlington, Vermont.
  • Vermont state and local officials were questioned about the incident during a joint meeting of the House and Senate judiciary committees on March 17, 2026.

The players

Bill Breault

South Burlington Police Chief who claimed he had no choice but to assist federal authorities during the ICE operation.

Shawn Burke

Burlington Interim Police Chief who accused some protesters of using the demonstration as a "Trojan Horse" to pursue their own illegal agenda.

Finn Lester-Niles

A local anti-ICE activist who was present during the March 11th incident and believed the crowd would have been able to stop the federal authorities if police were not present.

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What they’re saying

“As the crowd grew on Dorset Street, the peaceful activists were joined by agitators, a Trojan Horse of sorts, leading way to an escalation instigated by the crowd.”

— Shawn Burke, Burlington Interim Police Chief

“If local and state police weren't present during the executed warrant, then the crowd of agitators likely would've been able to stop federal authorities from taking people into custody at the residence.”

— Finn Lester-Niles, Local anti-ICE activist

What’s next

The Vermont Department of Public Safety is leading an internal review of the March 11th incident to determine whether state and local authorities acted appropriately in light of the circumstances.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement, federal immigration authorities, and anti-ICE activists in Vermont. It raises questions about the boundaries of local police involvement in federal immigration operations and the balance between public safety and civil liberties.