The York County Sheriff says a corrections officer with no criminal record is now in ICE detention.
Sheriff William King says the corrections officer was detained by ICE earlier this week after he was invited to an immigration appointment in Scarborough.
Sheriff King said the officer passed all background checks to verify he’s able to work legally but was taken to an ICE facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts where he was being held as of Friday.
King challenged Homeland Security’s claims of agents targeting only the worst of the worst criminals, saying the reality appears “far more complicated.”
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce shared similar sentiments after a corrections officer recruit with no known criminal record was detained by ICE in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood on Wednesday.
Joyce criticized ICE for what he called “bush-league policing” when they arrested the man and left his vehicle unsecured with the lights on.
The comment prompted a response from ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde, who said in a statement Friday that Joyce “chose to turn on his law enforcement brethren and smear the brave men and women of ICE.”
Joyce also confirmed that detainees arrested by ICE who were being held at Cumberland County Jail were transferred out of the jail Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Gov. Janet Mills continues to strongly criticize ICE and is now calling for Congress to limit their funding until they change their tactics.
Gov. Mills said Congress should curtail funding for the agency “until they stop their aggressive tactics.”
The demand was met with opposition from Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ office, which issued a statement saying Mills’ suggestion “makes no sense.”
Sen. Collins’ office said blocking an appropriations bill likely wouldn’t stop ICE funding but could jeopardize border security.
The governor’s earlier comments comparing ICE to “secret police” have drawn stern condemnation from Maine Republicans, who say her rhetoric could endanger immigration agents who are trying to do their jobs.
Maine House Minority Leader Bill Bob Faulkingham says the rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible, with many Republicans accusing Democrats of sending the message that all ICE agents are illegitimate, unprofessional or unworthy of respect.
Many Democrats argue that Republicans are ignoring ICE’s aggressive and questionable tactics.
