A Maine police officer arrested by immigration authorities has agreed to voluntarily leave the United States, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) said on Monday. Jon Luke Evans, a reserve officer with the Old Orchard Beach police department, was detained on 25 July as part of Ice's stepped-up immigration enforcement. The town and police department have stated that federal authorities previously confirmed Evans was legally authorised to work in the US.
An Ice representative told the Associated Press on Monday that a judge had granted voluntary departure for Evans, who could leave as soon as that day. No further details were provided. Evans's arrest sparked a dispute between Old Orchard Beach officials and Ice, with Police Chief Elise Chard asserting that the department had been notified by federal officials that Evans was permitted to work, and that the town had used the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify programme to verify his eligibility.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of homeland security, accused the town of 'reckless reliance' on E-Verify, an online system for checking work eligibility. The town reiterated its commitment to complying with employment laws and continuing to use E-Verify. Ice officials previously stated that Evans overstayed his visa and unlawfully attempted to buy a firearm. His agreement to voluntary departure means he will leave at his own expense to avoid deportation.
