Lawyers and legal advocates gathered in downtown Portland on March 15, 2024, to protest what they describe as unlawful arrests conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration, which took place in the Bayside neighborhood, drew support from honking cars as participants marched along Park Avenue.
The protesters expressed their concerns about the recent increase in federal immigration enforcement in Maine. Many of the lawyers involved have previously participated in events addressing the perceived threats to the “rule of law” under the previous administration. These events included protests outside the Cumberland County courthouse and a forum held at the University of Southern Maine in September.
Approximately two dozen individuals attended the march on Friday, underscoring the growing unease regarding ICE’s actions in the region. “Lawyers are officers of the justice system,” stated David Webbert, a member of the Maine Lawyers for the Rule of Law. He emphasized that the current situation is “outrageous” and that Mainers should be informed of lawyers’ recognition of these issues.
Webbert’s group is particularly alarmed by reports that ICE transferred around 50 detainees from the Cumberland County Jail in Portland. This decision followed criticism from the jail’s sheriff regarding the agency’s tactics, which included the arrest of a county corrections officer.
Court records indicate that a federal judge had temporarily prohibited the federal government from moving at least four of these detainees out of Maine. According to a recent court filing from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, ICE violated this order when they moved one detainee on the night of March 14. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Lizotte noted that his office was not informed about ICE’s actions until the following afternoon.
Webbert criticized ICE’s disregard for court orders, stating, “They don’t care about following court orders. They’re just mad at the sheriff; they want to punish him.” He also expressed disappointment in a recent statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump. Benson urged the public to respect federal officers and avoid divisive remarks, which followed criticism of ICE’s enforcement tactics from various local officials.
“I was disappointed that the U.S. Attorney issued a statement that didn’t acknowledge the evidence that we have reason to be concerned about ICE violating civil rights,” Webbert said. “He should be standing up to ICE, to the extent that they are violating the constitutional rights of Mainers.”
As the march continued, Webbert took a moment to engage with a passerby who inquired about the protest. After explaining the situation regarding ICE, the driver expressed a contrary opinion, suggesting that the agency was merely “cleaning up” after the Biden administration. In response, Webbert urged him to “open your eyes,” highlighting the tension surrounding immigration enforcement in the state.
The protest in Portland reflects ongoing national debates about immigration policy and the role of federal agencies in local jurisdictions. As tensions rise, the voices of legal advocates like Webbert and their calls for adherence to the rule of law continue to resonate throughout Maine and beyond.
