Maine’s license plates say “Vacationland.” Many Westporters ski, hike and sail there. Some have summer homes in the Pine Tree State.
Over the past few years, several well-known neighbors have moved there. Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents moved into the state too.
To get a first-hand feel for what’s happening, “06880” contacted former Nutmeggers, now Mainers. Two replied, from very different parts of the state.
Rev. Alison Patton spent 11 years as pastor of Saugatuck Congregational Church. She left in 2023, to lead First Congregational Church, UCC in South Portland. She writes:
It has been an intense couple of weeks, although there has been a marked decrease in verified reports of ICE activity since the snowstorm.
Rev. Alison Patton
We are weary of being constantly vigilant, and of pivoting daily to show up how and where we are needed. Still, Greater Portland communities have done amazing things in response to this invasion by ICE.
Our immigrant neighbors remain frightened, Many have been sheltering at home for weeks, afraid to leave to shop, go to school, work or attend church.
Members at First Congregational Church, UCC, along with countless other volunteers around greater Portland have been shopping and delivering groceries, accompanying children to and from school, and doing what we can to lend our support.
I have a list of 30 members and friends in our congregation who signed up to be on call to offer support to immigrant neighbors. On Sunday morning I posted grocery lists for 4 immigrant families that are sheltering in place — including families 2 towns away. Volunteers signed up within 15 minutes, to shop and deliver to all 4.
Our neighbors have reason to be afraid. We have observed that ICE is targeting our immigrant neighbors based on their skin color, not on any evidence of criminal activity. Those detained in our area include immigrants in the asylum process, immigrants with green cards and naturalized citizens.
I am beyond impressed with this community, where people are showing up for each other, protesting, organizing teams to monitor and verify ICE activity, and ramping up mutual aid efforts.
I am also grateful to be part of a strong and engaged multi-faith clergy group that is collaborating to look after immigrant neighbors, and to oppose ICE presence:
We have been holding a weekly vigil outside the Cumberland County Jail, where we have exchanged letters with many of the approximate 30 women who were detained there until recently.
Just last week they were relocated in the middle of the night, following a press conference by the Portland sheriff, in which he criticized ICE for detaining one of his own corrections officers — a man who had been thoroughly vetted for his job, and had no criminal record.
At the request of the owner, we have been standing outside the apparel factory American Roots twice a day, in shifts, to make it safer for over 50 immigrant workers — all with legal documentation — to come to work.
Maine residents outside American Roots. (Photo/Alison Patton)
Several of my colleagues gathered outside Senator Susan Collins’ office last Tuesday, to put pressure on her to deny further funding for ICE. Nine of them were arrested.
My colleagues and I were among hundreds of clergy who signed onto this open letter, opposing ICE presence in our state
We are routinely sharing information and resources, to do what we can to protect our neighbors.
I’ve been getting lots of calls from folks looking for ways to help. Last week, one of those calls came from a Staples graduate who grew up at Greens Farms Congregational Church, and now lives down the street from my church in South Portland.
Thanks for reaching out. If people ask what they can do, they can donate to local aid organizations, including Project Home (providing emergency rent assistance for those who have lost income due to detention of a family member or fear of going to work) and ILAP, which provides legal assistance for immigrants.
Folks can also put pressure on elected officials to stop funding ICE.
Chip Stephens is a native Westporter. A 1973 graduate of Staples High School, he left the Planning & Zoning Commission in 2021 to become CEO — that’s “code enforcement officers” — of 2 towns 20 miles northwest of Augusta. He is also the plumbing inspector, local health official and a firefighter. He lives in Readfield, where he long had a part-time home.
Chip Stephens
Stephens’ service in Westport includes chairing the Village District Regulation Committee and Superstorm Sandy Recovery Regulation Committee. In Westport he helped preserve Bedford Elementary School (now Town Hall), Cockenoe Island, and open space. He also coached Staples wrestling, and PAL football, basketball and baseball.
Stephens tells “06880” that most ICE enforcement is n the major cities — specifically Portland and Lewiston (home of Bates College, and a large population from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, other African nations and Afghanistan).
“This is an interesting state,” he says. “The northern region is much more conservative than the bigger cities and college towns.”
Stephens does not hear a lot of talk about immigration — or the ICE raids — in his area. What there is, he says, tends to be “I’m sick of seeing this on the news.”
Of course, politics is unavoidable. There is a wide-open governor’s race. Most candidates are Democrats. Stephens knows Republican Bobby Charles — a former naval intelligence officer, assistant Secretary of State and official in the George W. Bush White House. Charles’ platform includes support for ICE.
Still, Stephens says, immigration enforcement “is not issue #1, unless you live in Portland. It’s tiring people out, and I don’t think it’s helping the cause. A lot of people are just turning off their TVs. They’re numb to it.”
I feel like Trump wants Fascism in government ! What my father’s generation defeated in WW2! We can’t stand for this lawlessness anymore!
What a stunning contrast. One person confronts the horror with empathy, compassion and actual had work. The other just wants to stop seeing it on the news because it gives him a sad.
Typical weasel words from a MAGA forced to deal with all shit they and their racist chums are responsible for. Turn off your TV Chip – heaven forbid your see neighbors hide in fear.
Mike S.
South Portland, ME
Chip Steven’s. Do the people of Northern Maine care about unarmed Americans being shot for protesting ? Do the people in your area care about untrained ICE of officers pushing and shoving unarmed non violent women being thrown into the ground and punched ? Do the business owners in your area hire undocumented immigrants? Thr bible talks about stiff necked behavior Why do people in your area are not concerned about fascist non democratic behavior. ? Who works on the clamming and lobster boats in Maine ?
If people here legally are working and paying taxes and are part of their communities then chasing after them is wrong. ICE was created after 9/11 by President Bush. I know President Obama utilized it during his eight years. I guess President Obama only deported 3.1MM illegal immigrants that were criminals. Right? I still say ICE is doing their job and people shouldn’t stand in front of their cars, spit or throw bricks at them. That’s obstruction of Justice to a federal officer. If you look up fascism and The Republican party it’s not the same thing.
Obama deportations were mainly from recent border crossings. The methods for deportations were more humane. Obama did not demonize immigrants and state racist falsehoods Obama didn’t falsely categorize good people as domestic terrorists. Obama didn’t have unmasked untrained animalistic ice officers in USA cities. Obama would not let ice officers shoot immigrates as and Americans without investigation and trial.
Please watch the testimony of ICE victims, all American citizens, at Sen. Blumentgal’s hearing on Tuesday.
no republicans showed up to hear. They are just like Chip Stevens reporting On the blog today
If people are here legally and doing their jobs but when people they look or sound different, have darker skin or have an accent, they too should be allowed to live without fear of being violently taken by ICE. I’m very concerned by the way ICE agents wear masks and try to take people before they vet them to see if they are here illegally or if they are criminals or not. Too many INNOCENT people who are being racially profiled are being stopped and taken. Many are being harmed before they even know who they are taking. This is very reminiscent of the 1930s in Germany! This is how they started. They profiled JEWS at first and they started to go after anyone that didn’t fit the blond hair and blue eyes. The also started by telling Jews to leave the country, but they made it difficult since they also made it difficult for Jews to make any income and confiscated their successful businesses and took their breadwinners from the family first.
We always say “Never forget and Never again”, yet it’s not supposed to be just a saying. We are supposed to stand up and not let it happen again! This cannot be allowed to go on! Who will be next that Trump and the far Right will target! It could be anyone or any group of people they desire aren’t “worthy” to be treated humanely.
I’m looking around for my 1952 and 1956 lapel pins. With a minor modification I can update them to “I Like ICE”. The church is getting too political!
Matthew 19:14 and John 11:35
Biery’s decision
I graduated from Staples in 1963. Decades later, living mostly in Fairfield, my family and I attended Saugatuck Congregational Church, led then by the beloed Rev. Ted Hoskins, now deceased, who later resettled in Isle au Haut, Maine. He would have been outraged by ICE, etc., and would have been in the front row storming the barricades against them.
I mostly have lived in Maine since 2004 and was night managing editor of the award-winning Sun Journal daily newspaper in the city of Lewiston until mid-2008. Inflamed by craven politicians, tensions were high with a large population of Somalis who had fled their country and resettled in the community.
Among the ugly stories I dealt with was one about a local yahoo who rolled a pig’s head down the center aisle of the mosque during a service. Subsequently ostracized, he made a 911 call from a mall parking lot and waited for the cops to arrive and see him blow his brains out. On my Saturday shift.
Another Saturday, a Lewiston High Somalian was leading the state cross-country meet when someone threw salt in his face. He tried to continue running, but collapsed and had to be hospitalized. Try, on deadline, sorting out verifiable fact from speculation on that one.
In the years since, race relations, while not idyllic, have improved. The passage of time, a polyglot state championship boys high school soccer team, and interracial dating have been major contributors.
Past due for breakfast. Rural politics later, maybe.
Keith Hagel
Staples ‘63
Lewiston ,Maine, aka “The Dirty Lew” as Mainers refer to it! Haven’t been there in a while. Small FBI office with only one agent. May 25, 1965, the second Ali-Liston fight!
You ain’t missed much. Still mostly gritty and tired. Good cop force , tho; their get out jail info card is in 21 languages.
SI photog came back in 2005 to re-create famous shot.
that woman may – and, if I could, I would underline may – be well intentioned but she’s actually extremely naive and putting USAs and our legit intl guests in danger, Obv.
she’s also being very defamatory towards the border patrol and ICE agents WHILE demeaning and degrading the immigrants she is ‘helping’ to hide; she seems like a lot of ego and not much real empathy and respect for anyone involved, not for USAs and our legit intl guests, not for border patrol and ICE agents, and not for the immigrants she seems to have very little respect for (her desc of them makes them sound ‘incapable’).
if This Type both in public office and whatever role she’s taken on wanted to really increase healthy immigration Into USA it would be via improving accessibility and reducing corruption in countries of origin … instead, it was done by encouraging the cartels that corrupt emigration to USA in the countries of origin and by keeping undocumented the ones who came in via Biden DNP’s broken borders.
“That woman”? You mean, the Reverend? Your comments are disrespectful and ill-informed, to say the least. By the way, “legit intl guests” is not a thing. Individuals who have entered the country legally but have overstayed their visa have NOT committed any crimes, it is a classified as a civil violation. It is Not a criminal offense. Entering or attempting to enter the U.S. at a place other than a designated port of entry, or using fraud to enter, is a misdemeanor for the first offense.
You also might recall there was a bipartisan bill to fix the border situation during the Biden administration that was all set to go until the GOP candidate told his forces to kill it, otherwise, he’d have nothing to run on.
to be so dogmatic as to rely on ‘she’s a reverend’ = she can’t be wrong ? a lot of very wrong Wrongs have been given a pass with exactly That kind of ‘thinking’, i.e., I just can’t.
Even Bill Clinton had the decency to add “Miss Lewinsky” after he “that women”ed” her.
Are “very wrong Wongs” actually right?
Correction. Make that “very wrong Wrongs”.
You made my point for me. (And I max out at 3 posts).
You’re allowed 5.
Well this re-enforces for me what is great about Westport and what is not so…
Dan Woog is the Great, Dan selflessly writes this column daily giving Westport a sounding board and keeping 06880 up on local views and news. Here in Maine we do not have a Dan. Much like Westport and much of our Country, the local newspaper no longer exists. There is a large void of letters to the editor and how local events and national events touch each of us. Thank you Dan
The not so great angle to Westport I do not miss is the loud people who do not listen to the “other side” thoughts and opinions. Those who judge and throw nasty comments to re enforce in their diatribes why they are right. Without an unemotional and intelligent dialog the eventuality is more polarization and hate. All deserve to be heard, and all can learn much by listening. For such an affluent and beautiful town, which I grew up in for 65 years, it saddens me to see this.
We have turned off the TV news in our house, we do believe that violence and and mass hysteria cause hate, and hurt and yes death. And I try not to judge who is right and who is wrong, I do believe in the Golden Rule and Ten Commandments where we are taught to love our neighbor, do no murder and not to bear false witness… among other rules to live and get along by.
To all in my friends in Westport I do miss the beautiful town where I served and thrived in for so long. I wish Dan a long life in bringing the local sounding blog to Westport, it is sorely needed. I hope all can tone it down, LISTEN to those whom differ in opinion, and act and respond in a civil and respectful way. I can only hope.
Well said Chip. I always thought you were one of the most intelligent public servants in Westport so I was surprised by the cheap shot by your maniac neighbor who has logic issues. Onward through the fog‼️🇺🇸
Again what’s lost in the hysteria is the fact if the leaders of these cities would cooperate with federal law and work with ICE to turn over the convicted criminal illegal aliens with ICE detainers at the courts, jails and prisons, NOT releasing them into the community to offend again, ICE wouldn’t be forced onto the streets. ICE is operating in ALL states. Those that cooperate (yes, even blue states) have none of the chaos the lunatic leftists want to incite. Performative politics over the safety of American citizens is not the path the majority of Americans want. For the useful idiots falling for the political theater of the progressive left, don’t obstruct law enforcement while you “peacefully protest” and you’ll go home safe. List of people that either campaigned for wholesale deportation or actually did wholesale deportation: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Barrack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, every Democratic primary campaigners for the 2016 election. Tom Homan was praised by 3 Democrat administrations and awarded highest civilian commendation and medal by Obama. So what has changed? TDS. Period.
This is from Wikipedia-
First They Came” (German: Als sie kamen lit. ’When they came’, or Habe ich geschwiegen lit. ’I did not speak out’), is the poetic form of a 1946 postwar confessional prose piece by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It indirectly condemns complicity of German intellectuals and clergy following the Nazis’ rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets. Many variations and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language.
But- Our American clergy and intellectuals are ringing the bell that they see terrible things are happening in our beloved country. They see the ICE Masked Mercenaries for who they are and what they are doing- roaming our streets authorized and immunized to bring chaos and violence to protesting citizens and legal immigrants.
Please- Take off the masks. Stop profiling random nonwhites for arrests. Target the illegal violent criminals that are said to be here. Stop killing American citizen protesters.
At least have the courtesy to take off your masks when you arrest a priest, a minister, an imam or a rabbi (or a 5 year old or a mom or a green card holder or………)
I got to know Chip Stevens from our interactions on zoning matters. We agreed and disagreed, though Chip was usually forceful in his conclusions. I am surprised with his comment. My guess is he is more supportive of the efforts of I.C.E. than he states. If so, that is unfortunate since all should feel open to expressing well thought out views. For me, the establishment of I.C.E. after 9/11 was a huge mistake It would be preferable to have the prior border control focus of the body in place prior to 9/11.
Without getting too specific, I got an e-mail from someone who worked in Westport for 35 years and the person told me I wouldn’t recognize the town, and I wouldn’t like it! In other words, it has changed for the worse, not the better!
Jack,
It wasn’t me. I left Westport in ‘78 (I was 26 had finished college and the service and wanted to see the REAL world). If I had stayed for 35 years I could have cashed in when the NY’ers came in and flooded the market with their nouveaux riche-ness. I’m always the guy who’s left out when easy money abounds – boohoo woe c’est moi (I knew that summer I spent studying French “under” Catherine Deneuve on the West Bank would come in handy 😎). But I came back many times to visit and hit the great restaurants like Mario’s and Nistico’s Red Barn until they closed. Catherine (Deneuve) loved visiting Westport with me (until I dumped her in ‘83 for my wife Patti (with whom I’ve had three precocious kids and blazed a trail in private equity).
Nearly half (48%) of the unauthorized immigrant population in 2022 resided in just three states: California, Texas, and Florida. In 2023, California had 2.3 million, Texas had 2.1 million and Florida had 1.6 million unauthorized immigrant populations. Yet ICE is focused on Minnesota and Maine. Huh?
2%, of Florida’s population, or about 500,000 residents, are Haitian . Most live in southern Florida. There are about 1.6 million Cubans that live in Florida, about 7% of the population.
I too grew up in Westport, then returned to raise my family there. We downsized in 2006 and moved to Black Rock (aka Bridgeport). Four years ago, we sold our home and moved to Cape Elizabeth, ME, just a stone’s throw to S. Portland & Portland. I can confirm the fear that has permeated this community for the last 2 weeks. We attend First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Portland. Last week, while respectfully standing in the hallway of Senator Collins’ office, 9 of the over 25 clergy who’d arrived earlier were arrested, including Rev. Norman Allen of First Parish. Refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers who are going through the legal process are terrified that they or a family member will be taken. Scores of volunteers have come forth to support them. I am struck by how this community has risen, raised money, protested, and protected their neighbors. If ICE happens here, it can happen anywhere, including in cozy Westport.
Today- Picture for a moment peaceful, serene Westport.
Tomorrow- picture the arrival of ICE with masked, armed agents running around town raiding restaurants, outside schools, confronted by clergy and citizens and violently arresting protesters- clergy and Westporters.
I will NIMBY that!!!
Mr. Stein, they, INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) now known as ICE has been or at least were visiting Westport regularly since I began my career on the WPD in the mid 70’s. This is nothing new in these parts. We would stand by to assist if needed. Other than an occasional foot chase I don’t remember any problems.
Westport forever evolves. I started there in ’67, left and returned multiple times. Don’t blame the newbies, eventually they’ll be the old guard. It’s a young family town, always has been. It’s ok to leave too. And still comment here. Big World out there.
The ICE stuff gets way cleaner if local law enforcement would cooperate with the Feds. No one benefits from having a charged / convicted illegal alien released back to the streets and not directly into the immigration authorities. We did that in NYC this week with Gerardo Miguel Mora. Virtue signaling that puts my daughters in danger because some Judge doesn’t want to cooperate with ICE.
Sanctuary cities have a place, not against that. But criminals, whether they came over on the Mayflower, or climbed over a wall, need to go. And for some reason we have cities and judges who would rather F Trump (ok with that too), than keep the rest of us safe.
Not a huge deal in the the 06880, you don’t let people from Norwalk on your beach, and your biggest crime is people leaving keys in their cars. But humor the rest of us who are out there in the mix…your kids too probably.
Ah, the irony is thicker when these Westport elites sipping their artisanal lattes from their golden thrones and marble-floored mansions suddenly turning into bleeding-heart activists when ICE shows up in their adopted “Vacationland.” Rev. Patton and her crew are out there playing hero, delivering groceries and holding vigils for folks who, let’s be real, might not even be here legally in the first place. But back in Westport, these same types probably love their gated communities, private schools, and all the perks that come from a system enforced by laws they now conveniently decry as “invasions.”
Hypocrites much? They flee Connecticut’s high taxes and “diversity” overload only to virtue-signal in Maine about protecting “immigrant neighbors” from federal agents doing their job. News flash: Defending democracy means upholding the rule of law, not undermining it with selective outrage. If they’re so compassionate, why not open their summer homes to house these families instead of just signing petitions and getting arrested for show? Chip Stephens gets it, out in real Maine, people are tired of the drama. Time for Westporters to check their privilege and support actual border security, not this performative BS.
-From a former neighbor who’s seen enough hypocrisy.
And the 1600 convicted criminal 1/6ers who were returned to our communities by the felon pedophile protector President, you okay with that? Where were you on 1/6? Was the 2020 election stolen?
Hey Captain Whataboutism. Multiple things can be true, right? Check your meds, or put down the drink.
It was you that hyped “the rule of law” but are silent on the 1600 violent criminals dim Don returned the streets. I’ll bet dollars to donuts you were in the Capitol on 1/6 and believe that election was stolen.
That’s #5 for me.
Ah, Russell, back at it with the tired Jan 6 fever dreams and “dim Don” nicknames straight out of the echo chamber. First off, those “1600 violent criminals” you’re hyperventilating about? Most were peaceful protesters caught in a rigged setup, slapped with kangaroo court convictions by a partisan DOJ. Trump did the American thing by pardoning folks who got screwed for daring to question the 2020 steal. Yeah, I said it, with all the ballot dumps, Zuckerboxes, and mail-in mayhem, it reeks. Courts punted, but the evidence is there for anyone not guzzling the Kool-Aid.
Silent on rule of law? Buddy, I’m the one calling out these virtue-signalers undermining federal immigration enforcement while hiding behind their gated homes with a cup of GG & Joes. That’s the real hypocrisy, cheering when laws protect their bubble, but crying “invasion” when ICE enforces borders.
Were you at the Capitol on January 6th, Russell? Marching around with the signs and bullhorns, or are you just another keyboard warrior who watched it all on CNN and decided you’re the arbiter of justice? Because the way you keep harping on it, sounds like you’ve got some personal investment in keeping that story alive.
David’s right, multiple things can be true: You can support law and order on borders while calling out actual overreach elsewhere. But keep deflecting with whataboutism; it just proves you’ve got nothing on the ICE raids hitting criminals in Portland. Put down the blue pill, Russ, reality’s calling.
Russell, you’re really reaching with this Jan 6 obsession, still desperately trying to pin me there like it’s your big gotcha moment. I wasn’t even close. I was on vacation, skiing with my kids in Vail, Colorado, carving fresh powder on the slopes while you were probably glued to your screen rage-posting. Bet you’ve never even seen the top of Vail Mountain, let alone skied it, too busy clutching pearls from your keyboard, I guess.
So no, I wasn’t marching around the Capitol, I wasn’t waving signs, and I definitely wasn’t one of your so-called “violent criminals.” I was just living my life, minding my own business. Nice try, though, really solid detective work there, Russ. Must sting to keep swinging and missing like that.
Following her repeated direct communications with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Senator Collins announced last week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased its surge operations in the State of Maine.
“While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine. There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here. I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the Administration to get ICE to cease its aggressive and indiscriminate approach to immigration enforcement in our state. I appreciate the Secretary’s willingness to listen to my recommendations and her personal attention to the situation in Maine. ICE and Customs and Border Protection will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years. I will continue to work with the Secretary on efforts to curtail illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and other transnational criminal activity.”
We live in Augusta Maine now.