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Hundreds press Cumberland County commissioners to end cooperation with ICE; commissioners schedule follow-up meeting
Summary
Large public turnout urged commissioners to terminate Cumberland County's contracts and cooperation with ICE after reports of recent detentions. Speakers described fear in immigrant communities; Sheriff Joyce defended existing practices and cited statutory obligations. Commissioners agreed to further study and meet with advocates on July 9.
Hundreds of residents and supporters told Cumberland County commissioners on June 16 that the county should end all cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying recent detentions have terrified immigrant communities and eroded trust in public safety.
Speakers at a lengthy public-comment period included community organizers, teachers, nonprofit leaders and people who said they had themselves been detained. Todd Kriesch, who identified his address in Portland, urged the commission to ‘‘sever the relationship between ICE and the Cumberland County Jail’’ and said representatives of a coalition would meet with commissioners and the sheriff on July 9 to ‘‘concretize and move forward’’ on demands.
Many speakers tied personal and community harm to local holding of federal…
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