John,
Devon here. The Trump administration has deployed ICE agents to Portland, Lewiston, and possibly other Maine communities.
I want to make myself clear: ICE's presence is not about public safety. It is an act of political theatre meant to instill fear and exercise control. And Senator Susan Collins enabled it when she cast her vote to confirm Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Maine Democrats stand with our neighbors. We support peaceful protest and encourage all Mainers to know their rights. We also recommend saving the Maine ICE Watch Hotline number in your phones: 207-544-9989. You can find more information at mainedems.org/ice and the resources below.
Know Your Rights from ACLU Maine:
- You have the right to refuse to open the door to your home unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant. An administrative warrant does not grant ICE permission to enter or search your house.
- You have the right to ask an ICE officer, "Am I free to leave?"
- You have the right not to answer immigration officers' questions and to tell an immigration officer, "I choose not to say anything."
- Even if you exercise your rights, ICE may still detain you.
- If ICE tries to detain you, do your best to stay calm. Do not run away and do not resist.
Further Resources:
John, Maine will not be intimidated. We will look out for one another. We will document abuses. And in November, we will remember who voted this chaos into our community.
Devon Murphy-Anderson
Executive Director, Maine Democratic Party
PS: You can view my full statement here.
