"Play Reading to Benefit Maine Civil Rights and Immigrant Groups."

“It Can’t Happen Here” is considered a dystopian novel published in 1935 by American journalist and author Sinclair Lewis, set in Vermont. It follows a populist politician who quickly rises to power to become the United States first outright dictator and the courageous newspaper editor who sees the politician’s fascist policies for what they are and becomes an ardent critic. It’s compared to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Nazi Germany and some say mirrors the current political climate in the United States now.”

Press MentionsGuest UserAugust 28, 2025Support, Call to Action

"Maine’s Border Patrol agents are using more traffic stops, surveillance to make arrests."

“While Maine’s state and local resources should not be wasted to investigate immigration status in any case, many of those impacted were known to be in a lawful immigration process, have a valid work permit, and no criminal record,” Executive Director Sue Roche said in a statement.

Press MentionsGuest UserAugust 24, 2025Support, Call to Action

Alarm Grows Over Immigrants Being Disappeared in America

“The reality is people are being essentially disappeared and are picked up roadside and their whereabouts may be unknown for days at a time,” Melissa Brennan, co-legal director of Maine’s Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, told Maine Public. ICE is also executing a deliberate strategy of moving detainees out of state and even out of the country to prevent them from accessing community or legal support, she and others have pointed out.

Press MentionsJolene McGowanAugust 13, 2025Support, Call to Action

"The Third Place" honors community leaders at Black Excellence Awards

Black trailblazers in a variety of fields, including politics, justice, education and outdoor recreation, were honored Aug. 1 at the Maine Black Excellence Awards at Caswell Farm in Gray. The annual gathering is the signature event of the Portland-based nonprofit The Third Place, which connects Maine’s Black professionals, students and entrepreneurs to social, professional and economic opportunities.

Press MentionsGuest UserAugust 7, 2025Support, Call to Action

Update: TBRJ and ICE detainees: Numbers and practice

ILAP executive director, Sue Roche, Esq. also provided further information that Two Bridges Regional Jail (TBRJ) Administrator James Bailey was unable to answer for the original article. Specifically, asked where ICE detainees are sent upon prison release, her reply in a July 24 email stated: "This really depends on the individual case. The Immigration Court in Chelmsford, Massachusetts now has jurisdiction over removal proceedings for individuals who reside in Maine. There is also an immigration court in Boston, but after the Chelmsford court was opened last year, most Maine cases are held in Chelmsford.”

Press MentionsJolene McGowanJuly 29, 2025Support, Call to Action

Fear of ICE Jolts a Maine Beach Town

Lisa Parisio, a policy director at the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Portland, said, “We have tracked 17 minor traffic stops that have happened since March where more than 40 people have been handed over by local law enforcement to immigration officers.” This includes people with valid work permits and no criminal history, she said.

Judge restores legal protections for Haitians, says Trump administration overstepped authority

Maine immigration advocates warned that hundreds of people living in Maine to escape wars, gang violence and natural disasters would have faced deportation within weeks had the administration terminated their legal protections.

Press MentionsGuest UserJuly 24, 2025Support, Call to Action

TBRJ and ICE detainees: Numbers and practice

Two Bridges Regional Jail (TBRJ) Administrator James Bailey reported in May, there were 157 inmates housed at TBRJ: 53 from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, 53 from Penobscot County, 20 from Knox County, 24 from Waldo County, four U.S. Marshal boarders, 20 ICE boarders, and one from Border Patrol.

Advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), provide guidance and counseling to those detained and work to restore due process for the immigrant community.

Press MentionsJolene McGowanJuly 21, 2025Support, Call to Action

PORTLAND OFFICE

LEWISTON OFFICE