José Luis Cordova Herrera, who faced deportation after activists say was improperly arrested near a health center in northern Vermont in February, was released on bond March 1 after letters of support poured in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
His bond was lowered from $14,000 to $3,000 after 1,400 people sent letters to ICE, including one from Vermont’s congressional delegation. Community members collected the money to pay his bond, according to Migrant Justice spokesperson Will Lambek.
A Feb. 16 letter from the Vermont congressional delegation asked for ICE to grant Cordova Herrera a stay in court proceedings, stating that it was “unclear why he would be an enforcement priority,” even under President Donald Trump’s new standards.
The delegation also stated Cordova Herrera had no prior convictions or other run-ins with law enforcement. Lambek said the immigration judge took the support and concern into consideration when lowering the migrant farmer’s bail.
Cordova Herrera’s release could have a significant impact on the eventual outcome of his case, according to Lambek.
“That risk of deportation has been lowered because of his release,” he said. “It is very rare that a immigrant is not deported if they are in prison at the time of their [hearing].”
Cordova Herrera was arrested on Feb. 8 and placed in Strafford Correctional Facility in Dover, New Hampshire, until his release.
Migrant Justice claims that Cordova Herrera was targeted for arrest as he was coming out of a dentist appointment, which would violate ICE policy that restricts enforcement action near “sensitive locations.”
An ICE regional spokesperson denied this, stating that the car was pulled over four miles from the clinic for displaying “very suspicious” behavior.
Cordova Herrera has worked on three Vermont farms in the past five years, according to Migrant Justice. He said he came to Vermont to work and send money back for his children to go to school.
Last year, his brother and nephew were arrested and deported after a routine traffic stop led to their arrest, the group said. In December, Seven Days reported on a video that appears to show a Border Patrol officer smiling and using a racial slur while arresting them.
