Dozens of residents and community leaders pressed the Cumberland County Commission on Jan. 5 to terminate the county jails contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), telling commissioners the arrangement is traumatizing immigrant families and undermining public safety and school attendance.

Speakers representing neighborhood groups, educators, students and immigrant-rights organizations used the meetings hour-long public-comment period to describe the contract as a source of fear and to urge immediate action. "Terminate this contract and the county's collaboration with ICE, and act in alignment with the clear will of your constituents," said Ella Tabaske of Brunswick, who told the commission a petition urging termination had nearly 3,000 signatures.

Why it matters: Commenters said the contract makes people afraid to go to school, access health care and interact with government services, which they say worsens public-safety outcomes. Several educators said student absences and trauma are escalating local classroom challenges. Speakers also cited data and reports they said show many detainees lack violent criminal histories and that transfers out of state often follow short holds in the county jail.

What residents asked for and the response: Speakers asked the commission to end the contract and to pursue alternatives, including greater state funding and local policies that shield residents from immigration enforcement. Several speakers referenced recent legislation and state-level advocacy efforts they are pursuing in Augusta. Commissioners did not take a vote on the contract during the meeting; Commissioner Cloutier said he plans to organize a public meeting in the next two to three weeks to allow a deeper exchange on the issue and the countys fiscal options.

Notable claims and evidence presented publicly: Several commenters repeated data points or studies: a petition of nearly 3,000 signers (Tabaske), a claim that ICE arrests rose 75% in 2025 (Steve Carroll), and that a sizable share of those detained at the jail are from out of state. One speaker cited a November Cato Institute report on conviction rates among ICE detainees; another referred to a local figure of "170 U.S. citizens" detained in 2025 without access to counsel. Commissioners did not endorse or dispute those specific numeric claims in the meeting record; they heard the statements as public input and discussed next steps for local deliberations.

Context and next steps: Commissioners thanked the public for turnout and said the issue will remain on the countys agenda. The commission voted unanimously on routine business that followed and agreed to schedule additional deliberations; Commissioner Cloutier said he would convene a public forum so commissioners and residents can continue the discussion with more time for data and options.

Meeting status: No formal action to end or modify the ICE contract was taken at the Jan. 5 meeting.