FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20th, 2026

Contact: Ruben Torres, Advocacy and Policy Manager 

rtorres@maineimmigrantrights.org 

PORTLAND, MAINE - The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) received and verified a call of 5 armed agents in three unmarked vehicles at 7:45 AM in Portland. Additional reports from the Maine Immigrant Defense Hotline, community members, service providers, and legal partners confirm that increased enforcement activity in the state is now occurring. MIRC is treating this seriously and responding based on verified information. 

The Maine Immigrant Defense Hotline has confirmed multiple sightings in Portland today. We strongly encourage people to use extreme caution. Periods of uncertainty create real fear and disruption for immigrant families, workers, students, and service providers. For many in our communities, this anxiety is not new; it reflects conditions that immigrant communities across the country have been living with for months. Now, Maine is directly experiencing these impacts.

Maine is one big small town. The effects of this are already being felt in communities across the state. The scale of Maine’s communities means that changes on the ground ripple quickly, making statewide awareness and preparedness essential.

MIRC is actively coordinating across Maine with legal experts, community organizations, and government partners to understand the impacts and communicate verified information responsibly. In the meantime, we are seeing community members step up for their neighbors and support them in their time of need.

“What we are witnessing right now is communities stepping up for one another in real time. People are sharing verified information, educating neighbors about their rights, and pushing back against misinformation that can cause harm. Our responsibility is to center safety, clarity, and stability; so families are not left navigating fear alone,” said Mufalo Chitam, MIRC Executive Director.

MIRC will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as verified information becomes available. As a statewide coalition, we remain committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and well-being of Maine’s immigrant communities and to advancing policies that strengthen public safety for everyone.

MIRC will continue to share verified updates, guidance, and resources through our official communication channels, in coordination with trusted partners, including the ACLU of Maine and ILAP.

You can access the MIRC Resource Hub by clicking here.