Vermont Progressive Party Calls for Wilmer Chavarria Detention Investigation

Pictured: Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria

The Vermont Progressive Party joins the Winooski School Board of Trustees in calling on Vermont’s elected leaders and federal officials to investigate the wrongful detention and interrogation of Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria upon his reentry into the United States after visiting his family in Nicaragua.

Chavarria, who is a US citizen, was forced to endure five hours, separated from his family and abusively interrogated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for no discernible reason.

Chavarria is a highly respected educator and an important leader in Winooski — the State’s most diverse school district.

The unnecessary and abusive detentions of American citizens must stop and not become normalized.

We especially call on Governor Phil Scott to speak out against the abuses of Vermonters and support a thorough investigation of this incident.