SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT – The recent detention of a Vermont woman, Esther Ngoy Tekele, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and mother, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Canadian border has ignited concerns among her family and legal advocates, shedding light on the complexities and evolving landscape of immigration enforcement in the United States.
Esther Ngoy Tekele, 24, a Congolese national who has resided and worked in Vermont since 2021, was detained by ICE on July 6, 2025, at the Highgate Springs border crossing. This occurred as she was returning to the U.S. from a wedding in Canada, an activity her family states they have undertaken numerous times without incident. Her brother, Coco Ngoy, described the situation as a “nightmare,” expressing deep fear for his younger sister, who is also the primary caretaker for their ailing mother and has a two-year-old child. (WCAX, Hindustan Times)
Tekele, who holds a valid green card and reportedly has no criminal record, has been held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility for over a week. Her attorney, Jared Carter, stated that the initial premise for her detention was an invalid green card, a claim he vehemently disputes. Carter has raised questions about the constitutionality of her detention, particularly the lack of formal proceedings for more than a week. Court documents indicate that Tekele was unable to reach her attorney for several days while in custody and claims her detention violates her Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. A virtual bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning, with a show-cause hearing set for next week, where the government is expected to present evidence for her detention. (WCAX, Hindustan Times)
While ICE is not broadly targeting green card holders for arrests, legal experts emphasize that lawful permanent residents are not entirely immune to deportation. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), LPRs can face removal proceedings for certain crimes, such as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude. Although the Laken Riley Act of 2025 primarily mandates detention for undocumented immigrants arrested for crimes like theft or assault, even minor criminal convictions can trigger ICE scrutiny for LPRs. (Harlan York)
In 2025, ICE’s focus is largely on undocumented immigrants, particularly those unable to prove two years of continuous U.S. presence under the expanded expedited removal policy (effective January 21, 2025) or those who entered under specific parole programs. However, LPRs can still be caught in enforcement actions, including workplace or community raids (like ICE’s “Operation At Large”), courthouse arrests, or through cooperation with local law enforcement via 287(g) agreements. International travel also poses a risk, as returning LPRs may face scrutiny from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry, especially if they have a past conviction or unresolved immigration issue. The removal of sensitive location protections in 2025 further means ICE can conduct arrests anywhere, increasing the potential for mistaken identity or errors. (Harlan York)
In light of these developments, immigration advocates stress the importance of knowing one’s rights. Regardless of immigration status, individuals have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Key advice includes: the right to remain silent and not answer questions about immigration status or country of birth without a lawyer; the right to refuse consent to searches without a judicial warrant; and the right not to sign anything without legal counsel. Lawful permanent residents should always carry their green card and a secondary ID as proof of status. It is also advisable to memorize the phone number of an immigration attorney or trusted individual. If detained, individuals have the right to consult with a lawyer, although the government is not required to provide one for ICE detention. If facing expedited removal and fearing persecution in their home country, individuals should immediately inform the officer of their fear and request a Credible Fear Interview. (Legal Aid Society, ACLU)
The detention of Esther Ngoy Tekele serves as a stark reminder of the challenges individuals face within the U.S. immigration system, even those with established legal status, and underscores the critical need for legal awareness and advocacy.
