NO ICE IN BAYSIDE

In response to recent reports about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maine, the BNA board voted today to release the following statement:

“The Bayside Neighborhood Association stands, as always, with our immigrant neighbors and friends. New Mainers from other countries, whose hard-work and commitment to building a better life makes Bayside a better place, are among the best of us. The multicultural fabric of Bayside is and has always been an integral part of our neighborhood’s identity as a welcoming community. Our mission continues to focus on promoting diversity and forging meaningful partnerships. The BNA opposes any plan to bring militarized federal agents to our city to target and detain our fellow residents.”

Food for All Services in Bayside is doing incredible work to help our neighbors stay safe and they need your help. Click on the link to donate or volunteer.

Recently the City of Portland, Maine’s Mayor Mark Dion released the following statement:

“Our community is anxious and fearful regarding the understanding that ICE is planning to send agents to Portland and Lewiston next week. We are a welcoming city. There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents. In that view, Portland rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods. While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach to the enforcement of federal statutes. The consequence of law enforcement should not be chaos and violence, which only results in making Portland less safe.”

“The City Council and I stand, not apart, but with our lawfully admitted immigrant and refugee communities. I urge our residents to look out for one another. Know your rights and have a plan of action if ICE stops you on the street, visits your home, or arrives at your business or place of employment. As a reminder, Portland Police does not cooperate with ICE and they do not participate in enforcing federal immigration law. If you decide to protest or demonstrate, keep your efforts peaceful and consistent with the expectations for lawful behavior that we all share.”

More Resources from No ICE for ME:

Call Highlights and Mobilization Next Steps

Direct Support

Presente — Works in commmunity to provide food and material support directly to displaced and dispossessed Afro/Indigenous-Latines in Maine.
Maine Solidarity Fund: Donate to the Maine Solidarity Fund — Support bail funds, legal fees, and more for our immigrant and Trans neighbors.
Project Relief — Direct support specific for community members that have been detained by ICE.
Food for All Services — Pack and deliver food for community members, especially those unable to leave their homes right now.
Community Relief Fund – Support bail funds, legal fees, and more.
Mainers for Humane Immigration’s Freedom Fund – Supports bond funds.
Families in Crisis Fund of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools – Supports families of PPS students with basic needs in times of crisis.
Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network – contributes to immigration bond for people with a connection to the state of Massachusetts (detained in MA, living in MA, with immigration court in MA).

You can also find information on legal support and how immigrants can best prepare for ICE from ACLU of Maine, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law.

ICE Response

Report ICE to the Hotline — If you see ICE, call the ICE Hotline: 207-544-9989. Save this number in your phone!
Become a ICE Hotline Operator — Learn to coordinate ICE verification efforts. The next trainings are on 1/21 and 2/23.
Train to be an ICE Watch Verifier — Learn to safely verify ICE presence and actions in real time. The next training is on 2/3 and subsequent first Tuesdays of the month.

Advocacy for Community Defense

Portland teachers/students — Advocating on behalf of members of Portland Public Schools and doing daily ICE watch.
Prevention. Action. Change — Offering de-escalation trainings. Tap into an upcoming 4th Amendment training:
- Restaurant & hospitality: Monday January 19, 5–6pm
- ICE Verifier De-escalation: Tuesday, January 20 5-7pm (and every third Tuesday of the month)
- General training: Thursday January 22, 3:30–4:30pm
Community Organizing Alliance — Educating and engaging young people, centering Black and immigrant voices.
Maine Coalition for Peace and Human Rights — Working to divest our state from ICE-related investments.
No ICE for ME — Campaigning to end ICE operations in Maine, currently focused on ending the ICE contract with Cumberland County Jail.

Immediate Actions for opposing ICE

Report ICE to the Hotline — If you see ICE, call the ICE Hotline: 207-544-9989. Save this number in your phone.
Support LD1383 by submitting testimony or attending the public hearing in Augusta on Wednesday, January 21st at 11AM. Learn more here.
Attend the Tuesday, February 3rd Cumberland County Commissioners’ special meeting on the County’s contract with ICE. While we don’t know the exact format of the meeting, we expect you’ll have the opportunity to give comment. We’ll update our toolkit as more becomes known.
Donate to the Maine Solidarity Fund — Support bail funds, legal fees, and more.
Call and email Cumberland County Commissioner Jim Cloutier to tell him to end the County’s contract with ICE: 207-775-2911 and cloutier@cumberlandcounty.org. Please also reach out to your Commissioner if you live in Cumberland County.
Talk to your neighbors. What plans and resources do you have if ICE is in your neighborhood? What can you organize together? All we have is each other.

This work moves rapidly and pivots frequently. Be sure to check @no.ice.for.me on Instagram frequently and check your email inbox to see our latest updates.

Movements like the one emerging here in Maine are powered by small actions from everyday people. You do not need special training, gifts, or talent to be able to help out. If you see a need that’s not being met, please step up to fill it. We can only do this together.

Organizing is a way we give our life meaning in such difficult times. Please connect with your friends, meet your neighbors, and see the ways you can be a leader in this moment.

In solidarity,
No ICE for ME