Stand Together

Our co-owner Jose Ignacio — “Nacho” — De La Cruz was violently abducted by ICE on Saturday, June 14th, along with his 18 year old stepdaughter, Heidi, who had just graduated high school the week prior. Nacho is a deeply loved, and essential co-owner of our worker cooperative. Beyond being a skilled builder, Nacho is a cornerstone of the work we do to create healthy, climate-resilient homes in Vermont. His leadership and care have shaped our projects, our people, and our purpose. He is a father, a husband, and a friend. And right now, his family is in crisis.

We are calling on our extended community to show up for Nacho and his family in this terrifying moment. They need immediate financial support to survive the sudden loss of Nacho’s income. Individual members of the community fundraised over $3,000 within the first 24 hours of learning of their detainment to help support the family, however, this is just the beginning of a potentially long and arduous process. A GoFundMe has been set up directly for Nacho’s family.

We are heartbroken, outraged, and deeply shaken. And perhaps most devastating of all—this isn’t an isolated event. It’s part of a systemic, manufactured crisis that criminalizes our neighbors, separates families, and profits from their pain. At a time when our communities urgently need more housing, more skilled labor, and sustainable solutions, ICE is targeting the very people who are the backbone of the construction industry.

Right now, our focus is on standing with Nacho, Heidi, and their family. That means rallying community support, covering urgent needs like rent, showing up in the streets, and leveraging every resource we have. Our team is fully mobilized—New Frameworks is devoting significant time and energy to securing Nacho’s release and providing stability for his family.

If you’re able to support us during this time, please consider making a donation to our worker-owned cooperative. While it’s not tax-deductible, it will go directly help us continue to advocate and lead in this campaign for Nacho and Heidi. Every dollar helps us sustain our work, care for our people, and continue to show up where it matters most. We are so, so grateful for your continued support.

If you’d like to support ICE detainees ability to make bail, please consider contributing to their bail fund through the Vermont Freedom Fund (VFF). The Vermont Freedom Fund is a community-powered nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency bail assistance to individuals who are facing pre-trial detention, ensuring that justice is not dictated by one’s ability to pay. Your donation will help secure Nacho and Heidi’s freedom so they can continue their vital work with Migrant Justice—organizing, advocating, and lifting up Vermont’s immigrant community. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference: it reaffirms our shared belief in due process, dignity, and the power of collective action.