LEWISTON- Mayor Carl Sheline announced this afternoon that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will likely be coming to Lewiston.
“It’s my understanding that there will be ICE enforcement in (Lewiston) soon,” Sheline stated.
Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland, made a similar statement earlier today. Lewiston and Portland are both home to a large number of immigrant families.
In his statement, posted to his Facebook page, Sheline added, “I urge residents and businesses to know their rights and have a plan of action if ICE stops them in the street, visits their home, or visits their business.”
Mayor Carl Sheline (photo from City of Lewiston website)
Since taking office nearly a year ago, President Donald Trump has greatly increased enforcement by ICE. That enforcement has been criticized for targeting specific communities, such as Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has a large number of Somali immigrants.
Last month, prior to the start of the Minnesota operation, Trump made several comments critical of Somali-Americans. At the time, he referred to them as “garbage.” During a cabinet meeting, Trump reportedly said, “I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you,” adding that they should, “go back to where they came from.”
Just last week in Minneapolis, an unarmed woman was shot dead in her vehicle by an ICE agent. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, had been volunteering to monitor ICE during the local operation.
The agent that shot her, who had been on his phone filming himself during the shooting, was condemned by Minnesota officials but supported by the Trump administration. In an unusual move, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has said that it alone will investigate the shooting; it will not cooperate with Minnesota officials.
“I understand that this is an unsettling time for many of our residents,” Sheline said. “Lewiston is a strong city and we care about our community and each other. Please check on your neighbors and stay safe.”