Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey launched an email address on Monday, encouraging Mainers to report federal immigration enforcement activity, including specific information such as the names and contact information of anyone involved.
“Across our nation, we are seeing numerous reports of apparent civil rights violations and improper use of force by federal agents who have been sent into areas targeted for immigration enforcement by the federal government,” said Frey.
“With the federal government now surging federal agents into Maine under the banner of immigration enforcement, evidence of constitutionally-deficient, excessive, and intimidating enforcement tactics is quickly emerging in our own state,” he added.
The new address is dedicated to accepting tips on any law enforcement actions, particularly immigration enforcement from ICE agents, that observers believe are “intimidating,” “excessive,” or “constitutionally deficient.”
Frey encouraged Mainers to submit descriptions of law enforcement activity, including specific information such as the location and time of any incidents, as well as the names and contact information of anyone involved.
Though the email will not accept photos and videos, Frey said that anyone with footage of enforcement activity should include their contact information in their emails so his office can reach out for it if they deem it necessary.
Frey’s comment might encourage more Mainers to record immigration enforcement, which could put federal officers at risk by revealing their identities.
He noted that any information sent to the new address, [email protected], could be subject to disclosure under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) laws.
Employees at the Attorney General’s office will review submissions to the address, looking for potential violations of the state or federal constitutions, or of the Maine Human Rights Act.
