ICE Transfers Detainees from Cumberland Jail Following Sheriff’s Critique
Federal detainees held at the Cumberland County Jail were transferred on Thursday night following remarks from Sheriff Kevin Joyce. Joyce received a call from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informing him of the sudden removal of detainees from the Portland facility. Typically, the jail accommodates around 60 federal detainees.
ICE Transfers Following Criticism
This move came shortly after Sheriff Joyce publicly criticized ICE’s practices during a press conference. He discussed an incident involving a Cumberland County corrections officer detained by ICE agents for allegedly lacking a criminal record. Joyce described the agency’s actions as “bush-league policing.”
Details of the Incident
The corrections officer, who remains unnamed, was stopped while driving in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland. Footage indicates that he was apprehended swiftly within three minutes. A witness noted that the officer’s vehicle was left running on the side of the road after the ICE agents took him into custody.
Financial Implications of ICE Detention
- The federal government pays Cumberland County Jail $150 per day per detainee.
- This includes individuals detained by ICE.
Despite ongoing community advocacy, Cumberland County commissioners previously voted against a measure to terminate ICE detainee contracts in November.
Case of Tong Qi Lu
Among those transferred was Tong Qi Lu, a 56-year-old Chinese national who had been held for 10 months. Reports indicate that he is now at the Plymouth County Correctional Center in Massachusetts. This transfer occurred after a federal judge ordered that Lu not be moved out of state.
It is uncertain whether the transfer took place before or after Lu’s attorney, Oriana Farnham, filed an emergency petition against it. The petition revealed that Lu has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, owns a restaurant in Bangor, and was taken into custody after an encounter with local law enforcement.
Background on Tong Qi Lu
Lu was apprehended in April while gathering supplies at a scrapyard. According to court documents, a Maine State Police trooper informed him that ICE was seeking his detention following a license check.
In 2020, ICE acknowledged that Lu’s removal to China was unlikely and that he presented no threat to public safety. Lu has been adhering to ICE’s requirements for the past five years, with a petition for lawful permanent residency pending.
This situation continues to evolve, highlighting ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration practices. Further updates are expected as more details unfold.
