Vermont Residents Freed After ICE Raid Errors

Authorities charged the wrong individuals, raising concerns over constitutional violations

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:09am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or courthouse interior, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and casting long shadows across the floor and walls, creating a sense of solemnity and unease.As tensions over immigration enforcement escalate, a recent wave of controversial detentions exposes pent-up frustration with federal tactics.Montpelier Today

In a series of incidents in Vermont, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained several individuals during a raid and a traffic stop, despite having warrants for different people. After being brought before federal judges, four of the five detainees were released, with the judges finding their detentions potentially unconstitutional. This has sparked calls for accountability and a closer examination of ICE's tactics in the state.

Why it matters

The Vermont cases highlight growing concerns over ICE's practices, with judges questioning the agency's use of unverified criminal histories to justify detentions. This raises broader issues about the constitutional rights of individuals targeted by immigration enforcement, as well as the role of state and local law enforcement in assisting federal agencies.

The details

In the March 11 raid in South Burlington, ICE was searching for a man named Deyvi Daniel Corona-Sanchez, but ended up detaining three other individuals - Cristian Humberto Jerez Andrade, Daysi Camila Patin Patin, and her sister Jisella Johana Patin Patin. None of them were the target of the warrant. The next day, ICE also detained Jaime Eliceo Castro Guaman and another unidentified man during a traffic stop in Burlington. Federal judges ultimately ordered the release of four of the five detainees, finding their arrests potentially unconstitutional.

  • On March 11, ICE conducted a raid in South Burlington, Vermont.
  • On March 12, ICE detained two men during a traffic stop in Burlington, Vermont.
  • On March 19, Cristian Humberto Jerez Andrade was released from custody.
  • On March 20, Daysi Camila Patin Patin was released from custody.
  • As of March 20, one of the men detained in the traffic stop remains in custody.

The players

Deyvi Daniel Corona-Sanchez

The man ICE was originally searching for in the South Burlington raid, but who was not actually present.

Cristian Humberto Jerez Andrade

One of the individuals detained during the South Burlington raid, who was later released by a federal judge.

Daysi Camila Patin Patin

One of the individuals detained during the South Burlington raid, who was later released by a federal judge.

Jisella Johana Patin Patin

The sister of Daysi Camila Patin Patin, who was also detained during the South Burlington raid and later released by a federal judge.

Jaime Eliceo Castro Guaman

One of the individuals detained during the Burlington traffic stop, who was later released by a federal judge.

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What they’re saying

“Without the support of all of you, none of this would have been possible. I wouldn't be here with you today.”

— Cristian Humberto Jerez Andrade

“Basically, if she is to be detained, the government has to go through a particular process and make an individualized determination that she should be detained.”

— Kristen Connors, Attorney representing Johana Patin Patin

“From the onset, the warrant was questionable … based on them articulating facts that were literally false.”

— Nathan Virag, Attorney representing Jerez Andrade and Camila Patin Patin

What’s next

The judge in the case warned that he was prepared to convene a 'major trial' examining whether ICE's tactics in Vermont violated the U.S. Constitution. While that trial did not ultimately happen, the question of the constitutionality of ICE's actions remains unresolved.

The takeaway

The Vermont cases highlight growing concerns over ICE's practices, with judges questioning the agency's use of unverified criminal histories to justify detentions. This raises broader issues about the constitutional rights of individuals targeted by immigration enforcement, as well as the role of state and local law enforcement in assisting federal agencies. Advocates are now pursuing various avenues to hold authorities accountable and prevent similar incidents in the future.