José Ignacio De La Cruz, organizer, released on bond after federal charges.
Apr 2, 2026·Location: Burlington, VT
Country of origin: Mexico

José Ignacio 'Nacho' De La Cruz, a 30-year-old Migrant Justice organizer and Mexican national without a visa, was detained by federal agents on March 26, 2026, and charged with nine federal felony counts including human smuggling and document fraud. According to the indictment, between November 2022 and June 2025, De La Cruz smuggled people across the U.S.-Canada border without authorization and fraudulently obtained Vermont driver's privilege cards for individuals, receiving $500 per fraudulent ID. He was held at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans. On April 2, 2026, Judge Kevin Doyle ordered his release on bond, rejecting prosecutors' argument that he posed a flight risk after noting De La Cruz remained in Vermont despite knowing of the investigation. Migrant Justice attributed the arrest timing to retaliation following an ICE raid in South Burlington on March 11. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to 15 years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 3 years if convicted.
Timeline
Sources
- Migrant Justice organizer, detained for a second time, is now charged with helping people cross border illegally
vtdigger.org·Mar 26, 2026·archived copy
- Feds arrest Migrant Justice leader on 9 felony counts - Vermont Daily Chronicle
vermontdailychronicle.com·Mar 26, 2026·archived copy
- Vermont immigrant rights leader charged with smuggling people across the Canadian border
Boston Globe·Mar 27, 2026·archived copy
- burlingtonfreepress.com
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