By Kolby LaMarche

Federal immigration authorities acknowledged today that the man they targeted in an enforcement action yesterday was not among those detained at a Dorset Street residence, despite a daylong operation that culminated in arrests and confrontations with protesters. 

Deyvi Daniel Corona-Sanchez, a 24-year-old Mexican national charged with illegal reentry following deportation, eluded capture, prompting ongoing searches and scrutiny over how he may have evaded agents amid the chaos – or if the man federal agents say was Corona-Sanchez was even him. 

The sequence of events began yesterday morning, with surveillance that quickly devolved into a multi-vehicle crash and a protracted standoff, as reported by BDN, marking the most notable escalation in immigration enforcement within Vermont. 

According to a statement released by the Department of Justice, ICE deportation officer Colton Riley, based in St. Albans, was monitoring the single-family home at 337 Dorset Street early yesterday morning. 

Around 7:30 a.m., Riley observed two men enter a Toyota Camry registered to Corona-Sanchez. Believing one to be the target, agents followed and attempted to block the vehicle in a parking lot near University Mall. 

The driver accelerated away, leading to a collision involving federal unmarked vehicles and at least one civilian car, scattering debris across Dorset Street and into the adjacent Dorset Commons apartment complex lot.

The driver had fled on foot, and agents assumed he returned to the residence, establishing a perimeter that shut down the busy commercial corridor. This initial miscalculation—later confirmed when Corona-Sanchez was not found inside—set off a chain reaction, as community alerts circulated through social media and advocacy networks.

Protesters began arriving by mid-morning, coordinated in part by Migrant Justice, a non-profit organization originally established to advocate for immigrant farmworkers – they now also track ICE officers and activities. 

By the late afternoon, the crowd swelled to dozens, then an estimated 150-200 by afternoon, including local residents, University of Vermont students, and activists from surrounding areas. 

Demonstrators chanted slogans, twerked in front of officers, screamed and at and in the face of ICE officers, and sought to further obstruct immigration officials, sitting in-front of many un-marked federal vehicles. Soon thereafter, Dorset Street was almost completely closed off, a decision made by local law enforcement. 

The man was transported to Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans, and the women to Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington. An immigration attorney representing two detainees confirmed the holds were related to federal enforcement, though no additional criminal charges have been specified, they said. 

As ICE vehicles prepared to depart with the arrestees around 7 p.m., protesters blocked the roadway, escalating the situation. Federal agents deployed tear gas canisters, pepper spray, and flash bangs to disperse the crowd. 

According to South Burlington Police, no hospitalizations were reported. Police briefly detained four protesters for obstruction but released them without charges by evening.

In a joint press conference at SBPD headquarters around 9:30 p.m., Chief William Breault and VSP officials delineated their involvement. 

Breault stressed that SBPD’s response stemmed from the crash investigation and focused on public safety and traffic management. “We are not enforcing federal immigration laws,” he stated, noting no advance notice of ICE’s plans. 

VSP clarified that while they assisted in clearing the path for entry, no state or local officers deployed chemical agents or less-lethal munitions. 

Importantly, Burlington Police Department officers also supported the operation with perimeter security and traffic rerouting, despite the location being in South Burlington. One officer, in particular, is now under fire for what protestors are calling an excessive use of force. 

Burlington Police Officer Julian E. Gonzalez, according to video taken by protestors, is seen performing at least two “take downs”, both involving protestors who sought to get closer to those detained by federal agents. According to online forms, multiple Burlington residents are organizing other residents to file complaints against Gonzalez.  

BDN has not been able to independently verify that Officer Gonzalez was involved in both incidents. 

Burlington’s Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak was asked by BDN for comment, though none was provided as of yet. 

Other elected officials and candidates were present, however, documenting and sharing footage online. 

ICE prioritized him for removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1326, which can result in up to 20 years imprisonment for reentry after deportation. No violent priors are listed, but his evasion has intensified the pursuit.

Governor Phil Scott released a statement earlier this morning, largely condemning the federal officer’s response to the protests, calling them unnecessary and adding “the actions of federal law enforcement…further demonstrates a lack of training, coordination, leadership, and outdated tactics which put both peaceful protesters and Vermont law enforcement in a difficult situation.” 

Adding to the condemnations, Chittenden County State’s Attorney, Sarah Fair George, responded, saying ICE has elected to “[choose] escalation over professionalism at every turn,” she said.  

A federal spokesperson declined further details, citing the active investigation. Migrant Justice plans vigils and calls for reviews of force usage.