Thank you for your reporting on the relationship between our local police departments and ICE agents (“Portland, South Portland police texted with immigration agent during surge operation in Maine,” March 12). It is important for the public to be aware of this betrayal of trust and its threat to our legal safeguards.
The people of the state of Maine have prohibited cooperation between local or state law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement through LD 1971. And yet the police chiefs of both cities created a relationship and an environment of support that played an supportive role in the recent ICE operation. I am deeply disturbed to see supportive comments from South Portland police Chief Ahern (“Nice work” and “Thank you for the difficult job you all have”).
Chief Ahern is charged with protecting the people of South Portland, some of whom lived under fear and threat during this time. His response validates the deeply disparaging language of the ICE officer, calling some of our neighbors “illegals” and seeming to revel in the image of a frightened person running from their agents.
I am disturbed by this degree of support and cooperation, and I am disturbed by the casual cruelty of someone charged with protecting my town. Mainers deserve police support that honors the laws of our state and the dignity of our neighbors.
Lindsay Murray
South Portland