ICE Arrests Conducted in South Burlington

South Burlington police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents formed a perimeter on Dorset Street on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as federal officers conducted an immigration enforcement operation that led to multiple arrests, according to law enforcement sources and local reporting.

The operation, which took place in the afternoon, involved coordination between ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division and the South Burlington Police Department, with additional support from the Vermont State Police in securing the area. Officers established a containment zone along Dorset Street near the intersection with Shelburne Road, restricting pedestrian and vehicular movement during the action.

Vermont State Police confirmed their role was limited to traffic control and public safety support, stating they did not participate in the investigative or arrest components of the operation. A spokesperson for the agency emphasized that state troopers were deployed only to assist with scene safety and did not engage with individuals targeted by federal authorities.

South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke said in a brief statement that local officers assisted ICE at the agency’s request, consistent with existing protocols for federal immigration enforcement actions within municipal jurisdictions. He declined to provide specifics on the number of individuals detained or the nature of the alleged immigration violations, citing the ongoing nature of federal proceedings.

ICE officials did not respond to requests for comment on the operation by deadline. In past statements, the agency has described such actions as part of routine efforts to locate and remove individuals deemed to be in violation of federal immigration law, particularly those with prior removal orders or criminal histories.

Community advocates and legal aid organizations expressed concern over the raid, noting that Dorset Street is a residential corridor with a significant immigrant population. Representatives from Migrant Justice, a Vermont-based immigrant rights group, said they were monitoring the situation and preparing to offer legal support to anyone affected.

The incident adds to a pattern of increased federal immigration enforcement activity in northern New England over the past year, despite limited cooperation from some state and local authorities. Vermont law restricts local law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status or honoring ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, though federal agents retain authority to conduct enforcement operations independently.

As of Thursday morning, no formal charges related to the Dorset Street operation had been filed in federal court in Burlington. Individuals taken into custody during such operations are typically transferred to ICE detention facilities for processing, with potential outcomes including removal proceedings, bond hearings, or requests for asylum or other forms of relief.

The South Burlington Police Department said it would continue to coordinate with federal agencies on matters of public safety while adhering to state laws governing police conduct. Officials urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the incident.