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José Ignacio De La Cruz, organizer, released on bond after federal charges.

Apr 2, 2026·Location: Burlington, VT

Country of origin: Mexico

José Ignacio De La Cruz, organizer, released on bond after federal charges.
Photo via vtdigger.org

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

Apr 2, 2026—Federal judge ordered De La Cruz's release on bond; he pleaded not guilty to nine federal felony counts including human smuggling and document fraud
Mar 26, 2026—José Ignacio De La Cruz detained by federal agents
Mar 11, 2026—ICE raid conducted in South Burlington
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