State Priorities 2025
Why we Prioritize AN “Office of New Americans (ONA)”
We believe that S.56/H.375 (2025) are VT’s most impactful pieces of immigrant justice legislation this session.
Access the S.56/H.375 (ONA Bill) one-pager here.
While immediate and temporary solutions are critical, immigration injustice is not new—it long predates the current federal administration. S.56/H.375 (the ONA Bill) offers a rare opportunity to move beyond short-term fixes and create a permanent, systemic foundation for comprehensive, coordinated immigrant support and integration in Vermont:
A dedicated “Office of New Americans” equivalent focused on all foreign born residents would help ensure that Vermont is proactively building infrastructure for immigrant inclusion—across legal services, workforce development, housing, and more—rather than relying on fragmented, reactive solutions that siloes subpopulations across the regions.
With existing refugee coordination at the State Refugee Office under threat, we cannot afford to let this legislation stall in Senate Committee for a second year.
By prioritizing impactful integration services for ALL, we can meet the emergent needs of this moment while also creating a stronger, more equitable future for Vermont.
Access VAAP’s Access to Justice Coalition one-pager here.
Beyond the ONA Bill (S.56), we also support broader systemic reforms proposed this session, including:
increased oversight of state contracts with DHS (S.44 and H.81)
criminal-immigration protections for Good Samaritans (forthcoming)
expanding fair housing (H.169) and Dr. Dynasaur Medicaid (H.114)
These and other critical measures profiled below work together to address both immediate harm and long-term systemic change. Now is the time to act—not just for this moment, but for our future.
Support the ONA Bill (S.56/H.375)
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Read VAAP’s coverage of ONA needs here, which cross-references blogs about:
VAAP’s testimony in support of related Act 105 (2024) regarding immigration legal status as an economic justice issue;
key findings from the Welcoming New Americans Symposium in June;
Vermont Poverty Law Fellow 2022-24 Maya Tsukazaki’s final report;
VAAP’s efforts to build coordination capacity for Vermont’s immigration services bar; and
research regarding the positive economic impacts of increasing access to free immigration legal services in Vermont.
Vermont’s Economic Action Plan 2025 identifying migrant workers as essential to securing our economic future.
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Support all immigrant-related measures
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Review the Vermont Judiciary’s Access to Justice Coalition’s advocacy with the Senate and House judicial and government operations committees here.
Watch a recording of VAAP’s and partners’ February 6, 2025 testimony before Senate Judiciary from 9am here and from 10am here and review presenters’ handouts here.
Review VAAP’s one pager on unmet immigration legal services needs here.
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Title: An Act Relating to Counteracting Federal Discriminatory Mandates
Intent: This bill ensures public schools can adopt inclusive policies aligned with Vermont standards and protects schools from implementing discriminatory federal mandates.
Committee Assigned: House Committee on Education
Status: Currently not prioritized due to the committee’s focus on education funding.
How You Can Help: Emphasize the importance of inclusive education policies by sharing examples of their positive impacts on students and communities.
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Title: An Act Relating to Requiring Legislative Approval Prior to Entering into Certain Immigration Agreements
Intent: This bill requires the Governor to obtain legislative approval before entering agreements under specific federal statutes related to immigration enforcement, ensuring state oversight and alignment with Vermont’s values.
Committee Assigned: House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
Status: Awaiting introduction to the committee. A companion bill will be introduced in the Senate.
How You Can Help: Share personal stories about the importance of maintaining Vermont’s independence from federal immigration enforcement policies. Contact committee members to urge action on this bill.
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Read the draft bill here and media coverage about it here:
Also view director Jill Martin Diaz’s 2018-20 study on Vermont’s fair housing needs here and Vermont’s 2025 Fair Housing Analysis and Needs Assessment here.
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Read Common Good VT’s 2/5/25 memo to the VT Treasurer’s Federal Transition Task Force and follow Common Good VT’s analysis of 2025-26 legislative changes at the state and national levels here:
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Fair and Impartial Policing Policy
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