Community in Action
Maine Shows Up
From Portland to rural Maine, community members and local businesses have shown up with care, generosity, and action in support of their immigrant neighbors. The outpouring of solidarity we have witnessed — before, during, and after the January 2026 ICE surge — has been extraordinary, with people coming together in ways we have rarely seen before at this scale.
Local businesses have contributed to ILAP and hosted fundraising events. On January 30, many closed their doors as part of the national shutdown calling for ICE out of communities everywhere. Artists across Maine have shown their solidarity through creativity, organizing raffles, and other efforts to encourage donations. Musicians and bands have hosted events that bring people together for nights of entertainment, connection, and community support.
Community members have helped share ILAP’s new detention webpage, ilapmaine.org/detention, where people can request help for someone who has been detained, along with resources about knowing your rights and how to prepare for potential immigration enforcement.
Others have stepped forward to write letters of support for ILAP’s clients during bond hearings, helping judges understand who a person is beyond a case file — testifying to their character, family ties, work ethic, and deep roots in their communities.
Advocates across Maine have called on all levels of government to take action to protect their communities. Last year, they worked to ensure that public safety resources were not diverted to assist the federal administration’s mass deportation agenda, ending the 287(g) agreement in Wells, passing an ordinance in Rockland, and passing LD 1971 on the state level. More recently, ILAP’s community has been advocating for LD 2106 (read more), while continuously calling on Maine’s Congressional delegation to hold the administration accountable and stop funding ICE and Border Patrol.
In addition to these efforts, many people have offered direct support to individuals and families navigating detention and release. Volunteers have organized rides to and from detention facilities, helped coordinate transportation to court dates, work, and school, and contributed to or helped raise funds for bond payments so people could return home to their families.
Thank you to every person, business, artist, advocate, and neighbor who has shown up for immigrant communities during this moment. Given the incredible amount of support we’ve received, it would be impossible to recognize every act of solidarity individually. What we can say is this: we see you, and we deeply appreciate you. Your generosity, creativity, and care sustain ILAP’s work and remind us that Maine is home for ALL.
‘No Kings’ protest in Fall 2025
Art Salon fundraiser
Raffle by Annandale Flower Co.