close
close

topicnews · July 18, 2025

Family of Vermont Woman, who was arrested on the Canadian border, lived a “nightmare”

Family of Vermont Woman, who was arrested on the Canadian border, lived a “nightmare”


South Burlington, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont -Woman held by Eis in Vermont after crossing the Canadian border to the USA, says she doesn't know why it is being held. Esther Ngoy Tekele, a Congolese woman, has been in custody for more than a week in the regional correction facility in accordance, and her brother says that he is afraid of what could happen to his little sister.

What started as fun with fun quickly turned into chaos for Esther Ngoy Tekele and her family.

“Going through such a situation is really a nightmare,” said Coco Ngoy, Tekele's brother.

He says that you take part in a wedding in Canada – something you have done many times – on the way back to Vermont, they were stopped at the border between Highgate Springs for several hours.

“The officer said:” Oh, I think you are free, unless Esther. She can't go. “So I couldn't leave my sister alone,” said Ngoy.

Tekele is a Green Card owner and the mother of a two -year -old. She has lived and worked in Vermont since 2021. She is also the main supervisor of her mother, whose health is in decline.

“We think that this also shows how in the United States of America in the United States is inhumane and unconstitutional, as is going on in the United States of America,” said Jared Carter, Tekele's lawyer.

Court documents say Tekele doesn't know why she was arrested. Carter says the first premise is that her green card was not valid.

He also raises questions about the constitutionality of her detention. “We deny that this gives you the right to capture someone, especially to hold on to someone and not to bring him in any kind of procedure more than a week,” he said.

Tekele's brother says he is afraid of what could come next. “I have a lot of people who are really affected by this situation, especially from my mother and the child. It is really difficult. I try to be strong, but to be honest, I am not,” he said.

On Thursday morning, Tekele is planned for a virtual hearing in front of a federal judge. A hearing on the show, in which the government provides evidence of the detention, is planned for next week.