These immigrants do one of Maine’s most dangerous jobs. Then came Trump’s crackdown.

Immigration authorities have rounded up Ecuadorian roofers from Aroostook to southern Maine since Donald Trump took office. The trend provides a window into how the president’s deportation agenda has targeted a community that has quietly shaped the region’s blue-collar economy.

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How police discretion has contributed to immigration arrests, and how that’ll change

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project has heard this fear from clients firsthand. 

“People are afraid to leave their homes. They are afraid to go to work. They’re afraid to be on the roadways. They are afraid to send their children to school,” Parisio said. “They’re afraid to call the police for help in any situation, whether that’s protection from domestic violence, coming forward about labor exploitation and trafficking, serving as witnesses in criminal cases.”

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Gov. Mills will let bill to limit police cooperation with federal immigration agents to become law

Sue Roche, executive director of the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, hailed the Governor's decision, saying in a written statement that it "ensures that Maine’s resources aren’t being diverted to further terrorize individuals and families, rip workers out of their jobs, destroy public trust, and create chaos and fear."

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ILAP Applauds Rockland Residents and City Council for Passing Ordinance to Ensure City Resources Are Not Used for Federal Administration's Mass Deportation Agenda

Rockland, ME – The City of Rockland passed an ordinance and order on December 8 ensuring that the Rockland Police Department and other city resources are not used to assist the federal administration with its mass deportation agenda. ILAP applauds and congratulates the Rockland residents and City Council members who worked for months to put this protection in place for their community.

Lisa Parisio, ILAP’s Policy Director, issued the following statement…

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ILAP Applauds Representative Pingree for Conducting Crucial Oversight of ICE Facility in Scarborough

Scarborough, ME – On December 8, U.S. Representative Pingree exercised her Congressional rights and responsibilities to conduct oversight at the ICE facility in Scarborough, in response to reports of Maine residents being denied access to counsel there, and other concerning issues. A copy of Representative Pingree’s letter requesting this oversight visit can be found here.

ILAP Co-Legal Director Melissa Brennan joined Representative Pingree at a press conference following the oversight visit, and shared these remarks…

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