Vermont Attorney General Charged Thirteen Protesters

State officials moved to prosecute demonstrators for trespassing at a Williston ICE facility.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stark institutional facade, Navy and cream palette, evoking the gravity of legal proceedings. — The Vermont Attorney General's Office has charged thirteen protesters with misdemeanor trespassing following a July sit-in at a Williston ICE facility. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Vermont Attorney General's Office has charged thirteen individuals with misdemeanor unlawful trespass following a July 24 sit-in. The demonstrators were arrested after entering a lobby at the White Cap Business Park to protest the expansion of ICE surveillance.

Why it matters

The prosecution marks a shift in approach after Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George previously declined to pursue charges against protesters at the facility. The state is now seeking legal action against these demonstrators.

The thirteen defendants, ranging in age from 18 to 74, face misdemeanor charges of unlawful trespass. They are scheduled for arraignment on September 24, 2026, following referrals from the Vermont State Police.

The players

Sarah George

She serves as the Chittenden County State's Attorney who previously opted not to prosecute protesters at the facility.

Vermont Attorney General's Office

This state office is responsible for prosecuting the trespassing charges after local referrals from law enforcement.

Vermont State Police

This agency is responsible for law enforcement across the state and referred the cases to the Attorney General.

The details

Demonstrators entered the lobby of the ICE facility at the White Cap Business Park in Williston at 8 a.m. to oppose the expansion of surveillance operations. While the State's Attorney previously declined to prosecute similar cases, the Attorney General's Office has now taken up these matters.

Protests began at the ICE surveillance center in Fall 2025.
The State's Attorney declined to prosecute four protesters in May 2026.
Thirteen people conducted a sit-in and were cited on July 24, 2026.
Seven clergy members were arrested during a sit-in in September 2026.
The thirteen July 24 protesters have an arraignment date on September 24, 2026.

Legal Context

The prosecution of the thirteen July 24 protesters follows a pattern of heightened law enforcement involvement at the site, which also saw the arrest of seven clergy members later in September 2026. This move marks a departure from earlier policies in the jurisdiction where charges against demonstrators were previously declined.

Residents may see a continued police presence at the White Cap Business Park due to the recurring demonstrations at the ICE facility. The shift toward active prosecution indicates a more stringent enforcement of trespassing laws in the area moving forward.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between local and state-level approaches to managing protests against federal surveillance operations. Future interactions at the facility are likely to face legal scrutiny following this escalation in charges.