PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Wire reached out to Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce on Tuesday, seeking his comments and perspective as rumors and reports swirl about an increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Portland.
The latest round of speculation has been fueled by heightened public chatter and online posts claiming immigration arrests, even as key details, including the scope of any enforcement activity, remain unclear without confirmation from federal authorities.
Inside the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Joyce has already circulated guidance on how deputies are expected to handle ICE-related situations. In a Feb. 25, 2025, memo to personnel reviewed by The Maine Wire, Joyce wrote that local law enforcement generally lacks the training or specific authority to enforce immigration law, calling it complicated and warning that stepping into that lane invites legal exposure.
Joyce directed deputies to focus on Maine law first: if contact is made because of a Maine law violation, handle the state matter, document what’s learned, and make a referral to ICE if there is suspicion the person may be in the country illegally, leaving any immigration investigation to the federal agency. Joyce wrote that the sheriff’s office would not detain individuals solely on suspicion of being in the United States illegally and told personnel with questions to contact ICE directly.
The memo also states the sheriff’s office will provide backup to ICE if immediate assistance is needed. For pre-planned ICE operations, Joyce wrote that any participation would be routed for approval through administration, while emphasizing that local law enforcement already faces heavy daily demands, staffing constraints, and a steady volume of calls.
The renewed attention on Portland has also prompted a warning from U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson, who urged that protests remain peaceful and drew a sharp line at violence, property destruction, or unlawful interference with federal law enforcement activity, conduct he said can be prosecuted as federal crimes “to the fullest extent of the law.”
Joyce’s posture stands in contrast to his predecessor at the sheriff’s office, Mark Dion, now Portland’s mayor, who has taken a more publicly vocal stance as concerns spread about ICE agents potentially coming to the city. In a public statement, Dion said the community is “anxious and fearful” amid the understanding that ICE planned to send agents to Portland and Lewiston, while stressing Portland’s identity as a welcoming city.
The flashpoint arrives against the backdrop of a month-long fight over Cumberland County’s federal detention arrangement at the county jail. During late 2025 discussions over whether county commissioners should end or stop funding the agreement, Joyce said “I’ll follow the law” and could not refuse detainees brought by ICE, even if the contract were terminated.
County commissioners later voted to keep the agreement in place, preserving the arrangement that allows federal detainees, including those tied to immigration enforcement, to be housed at the Cumberland County Jail.
