Maine ICE shooting: What happened in Biddeford? Investigation ongoing, one person dead, protests erupt
A person was killed in an incident involving United States Immigration Monday morning at Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Biddeford, Maine. The shooting occurred in Biddeford, a city of about 23,000 people about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Portland.
First public confirmation comes from Maine House of Representatives speaker Ryan Fecteau shared this information in a Facebook post. “Someone was killed. ICE was involved,” Fecteau said. Maine State Police and the Maine Department of Public Safety were on scene to gather information, Fecteau said. He added that he wanted the FBI to investigate the shooting as well.
ICE investigation into Maine shooting begins
Fecteau said that was the only detail he had at the time and that he would share more updates later. ICE, the FBI and the Maine Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to requests for comment as of Monday.
Immigrant rights advocacy group Project Relief said one of its community members was ice In Biddeford. The organization said it has been in contact with the man’s family. The relief program said the person was young but did not disclose the person’s age, name or other identifying details.
“This was a young man whose life was cut short,” the group said, calling for justice and support for the victim’s family and community, according to the Associated Press. A local group called Biddeford Saco for Racial Justice announced a protest against ICE at noon Monday at Biddeford Mechanics Park.
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Protests after Maine shooting
Local news reports said protesters had begun gathering ahead of planned demonstrations. Officials have not released details of the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not confirmed what led to the fatal encounter.
There is no official information yet on whether the man was armed or whether any officers were injured. If confirmed ice If an officer shoots the person, it would be at least the ninth death related to encounters with federal immigration officials since the Trump administration began its immigration crackdown, the Associated Press reported.
It would also be the second fatal shooting involving an immigration officer in about a week. The latest incidents come as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement and deportations across the country.
within five days of the end of the year JuneDuring this period, ICE arrested more than 10,000 people. Data shows that while ICE is no longer focusing on individual cities, immigration arrests continue and are increasing. Earlier this year, ICE conducted a massive enforcement operation in Maine that sparked massive public demonstrations against the agency.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dubbed the operation “Catch of the Day,” a reference to Maine’s seafood industry. The Department of Homeland Security has used similar names for immigration operations in other states, including “Patriot” in Massachusetts, “Metro Surge” in Minnesota and “Midway Blitz” in Chicago.
The investigation into the Bidford shooting is ongoing and authorities have not released further official details about the incident.
