Vermont Green Card Holder Detained by ICE Sparks Controversy

The case of Esther Ngoy Tekele, a 24-year-old Congolese woman living in Vermont on a green card, has brought immigration enforcement under sharp scrutiny. Tekele, who has resided in the U.S. for four years, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 6, 2025, while crossing back into Vermont after attending a wedding in Canada. Her detention has ignited debates about the treatment of immigrants and accusations of racial profiling.

The Arrest and Allegations

Tekele was detained at the Highgate Springs Port of Entry late on the evening of July 6. According to her brother, Coco Ngoy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents pulled over their vehicle and asked all passengers to wait in the seating area of the border office. After hours of waiting, the family was informed that they could leave—except for Tekele. She was subsequently arrested by Border Patrol agents and transferred to ICE custody. Her brother alleges that their family was racially profiled during the encounter, stating, “I can say we were treated like slaves because you could even tell from the body language—how disrespectful some of the officers were.”

ICE officials accused Tekele of lying about her marital status, claiming she married four days before arriving in the U.S. on a green card for single individuals. However, her lawyer, Nathan Virag, vehemently denies the allegations, describing them as baseless. “This is a person who’s never been in trouble with the law, pays her taxes, and is a strong community member. Detaining her under these circumstances is very unusual,” Virag told NBC5 on July 18.

Community Support and Legal Advocacy

Tekele’s detention has rallied significant community support. The Vermont Freedom Fund paid her $7,500 bond, securing her release on July 18. Local nonprofit organizations, such as the Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV), have also stepped in to assist her family. AALV, which supports new Americans in the region, has called for donations to help with Tekele’s legal expenses, as the nonprofit does not receive federal funding for immigration-related cases.

U.S. Representative Becca Balint’s office played a pivotal role in locating Tekele after her arrest. She was found at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, where she had been held for nearly two weeks. Tekele’s brother emphasized the urgency of her release, noting that she is the primary caregiver for their mother and a two-year-old son at their home in Burlington.

Broader Implications

Tekele’s case is not isolated. Across the U.S., ICE enforcement actions have sparked criticism for targeting individuals with no criminal records. For instance, recent reports from Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center reveal that over 250 of its detainees have no criminal convictions. These findings challenge the narrative that ICE prioritizes the detention of “dangerous criminals,” as stated by federal officials during the facility’s launch in July 2025.

Furthermore, Tekele’s lawyer criticized ICE’s handling of her case, arguing that issuing a Notice to Appear (NTA) would have been a more appropriate course of action. “Usually, NTAs suffice in such cases, and individuals are allowed to remain free while their immigration hearings proceed,” he explained.

Racial Profiling Allegations

Tekele’s family has openly accused U.S. Customs and Border Protection of racial profiling. Her brother described the officers’ behavior as demeaning and discriminatory. Advocacy groups and legal experts argue that cases like Tekele’s highlight systemic issues in immigration enforcement, particularly concerning racial and ethnic minorities.

In response to these allegations, acting U.S. Attorney Michael Dreschner declined to comment on the specifics of Tekele’s case when contacted by NBC5. However, the broader discourse around racial bias in immigration enforcement continues to gain traction, with activists calling for greater accountability and oversight of federal agencies.

The outcome of Esther Ngoy Tekele’s case will likely set a precedent for similar incidents, as communities and legal advocates push back against what they perceive as unjust and discriminatory practices in U.S. immigration enforcement.