ILAP Community Update: January 16, 2026
January 16, 2025
Dear Community,
By now, you have likely seen the statements and reports from Governor Mills, Mayor Dion of Portland, Mayor Sheline of Lewiston, U.S. Representative Pingree, and others, about a major ICE operation expected in Lewiston and Portland — and perhaps across Maine — in the coming days.
As we brace for what’s ahead, ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights clinic at University of Maine School of Law have launched a new collection of key Know Your Rights materials: https://www.aclumaine.org/preparingforice/.
ILAP also has a new webpage to request legal help for someone who has been arrested and is being detained by ICE in Maine or at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in New Hampshire.
If you haven’t already, add the Maine ICE Watch Hotline to your contacts so you can report ICE activity in your community: 207-544-9989.
As always, please take care to share only verified, accurate information and stay safe as you mobilize to protest and take action.
During these difficult days, we are reminded that our rights, our freedom, and our lives are inextricably linked. Let’s keep our sleeves rolled up and keep working together for the immigration system, country, and world we want to see.
In solidarity,
ILAP Team
Request Legal Help for a Person who has been Detained by Immigration Officials:
ILAP currently provides free immigration legal help to people who are detained in Maine and Maine residents detained at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in New Hampshire.
Learn how to request help for a person detained by immigration officials and what types of immigration detention cases ILAP can help with.
For previous updates from ILAP, check out the links below:
December 22, 2025: Golden Door
December 12, 2025: Community Update
Stay Connected:
Follow ILAP @ilapmaine on social media for the latest updates:
