A quarter of people arrested in Maine’s ICE surge are challenging their detentions
The Trump administration described its surge as targeting criminals. Dozens have gone to court and told a different story.
What is Maine Focus?
Maine Focus is the Bangor Daily News’ investigative team, telling important stories that hold public figures and institutions accountable and make an impact in communities across the state. Its reporters focus on bringing new perspectives to the forefront. The team began as a community engagement project in 2013. Its reporters have done the state’s most ambitious journalism since then, chronicling the life and death of a young man who was addicted to heroin, illuminating a culture of sexual misconduct in the Maine National Guard, and telling the story of a man who spent years in solitary confinement. In 2025, BDN partnered with The Maine Monitor to strengthen investigative journalism in Maine and expand public access to the reporting. All reporting from this collaboration is free to read on bangordailynews.com.
Maine Focus Staff
Callie Ferguson is the deputy investigative editor and a reporter who focuses on Maine’s criminal justice system. She was a finalist for the Livingston Award in 2022. The next year, she joined the inaugural class of local investigations fellows at The New York Times. Callie graduated from Bowdoin College and lives in Westbrook.
Contact Callie: cferguson@bangordailynews.com / 207-990-8258
Sawyer Loftus is a reporter covering housing as part of a fellowship with the investigative outlet ProPublica. He was named the state’s journalist of the year by the Maine Press Association in 2024. Sawyer is a University of Vermont graduate who is based in Bangor.
Contact Sawyer: sloftus@bangordailynews.com / 207-217-1450
Lori Valigra is the environment reporter. She was a Knight journalism fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has extensive international reporting experience in Europe and Asia. Lori graduated from Boston University. She designed the western Maine log cabin in which she lives.
Contact Lori: lvaligra@bangordailynews.com / 207-990-8272
Michael Shepherd is the editor who oversees Maine Focus. He has led the BDN’s political coverage since 2019. He is a University of Maine graduate with a masters degree from the Muskie School of Public Service. He lives with his family in Augusta.
Contact Michael: mshepherd@bangordailynews.com / 207-370-7652
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Latest Stories
Lawyer for immigrant removed from Maine jail accuses ICE of lying in court
Judges freed two immigrants who were held at the Cumberland County jail until Thursday, when they were abruptly removed following Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce’s criticism of immigration agents.
Maine is using outdated rules to close contaminated compost plant
Maine regulators are using an outdated rule to review the closure of a contaminated compost plant, raising concerns about inadequate cleanup.
Why it’s hard to figure out where Maine immigrants go after ICE arrests them
ICE detainees are often moved quickly out of state, with one Maine immigrant getting to Massachusetts before winning a court order that blocked such a transfer.
ICE removes detainees from Portland jail after sheriff criticizes agents
It is unclear whether the federal government or Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce’s office initiated the removals.
The working immigrants caught up in Donald Trump’s crackdown on Maine
The focus on Maine has brought the might of the federal government down on a state with one of the smallest immigrant populations in the country.
‘We know you live right here,’ ICE agents tell Maine woman who followed them
The confrontation was condemned by Westbrook’s mayor and came after parents blew whistles and honked horns at an agent who was parked at a school bus stop.
Judge orders ICE to say why it detained Maine immigrant at routine check-in
An Angolan man whose lawyer said he was picked up during a routine immigration check-in is the first immigrant to challenge their detention since an enforcement surge began in Maine.
Bangor police investigate property manager who reportedly owes landlords thousands
It represents a major development in the effort by clients to recoup money from Roland “Chip” Foss, who shuttered his company last year.
Help us report on ICE operations in Maine
There is less public information around immigration enforcement than regular police work. That’s why we need your help.
Maine’s Border Patrol unit places ‘rapid’ order for cold-weather gear
The federal agents sought a contract with a Brooklyn-based tactical gear and apparel company, although the amount and dollar quantity remains unspecified.
Immigrants prepare for their arrests and leave Lewiston ahead of ICE action
One property manager showed a reporter a form being passed around so undocumented parents could designate temporary guardians for their children in the event of their arrest.
ICE planning large enforcement operation in Portland and Lewiston next week
Carl Sheline urged residents and businesses to know their rights and have a plan if they’re contacted by agents.
A longtime guard allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old at Maine’s youth prison
The former guard was charged with assault last year after allegedly putting a teenager in a headlock and lifting him off the ground.
Criminal case focuses on immigrant health provider that billed millions to MaineCare
Federal prosecutors charged three people connected with a Lewiston company in a tax fraud case alleging publicly funded interpreter services were never delivered.
Maine’s public safety chief ducks lawmaker questions on excessive force lawsuit
Tuesday’s questioning centered on the state police’s internal review of a chaotic 2024 arrest in which a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face.
Lawmakers to question Maine public safety chief following excessive force lawsuits
The hearing could be the first time a state police leader faces questions about its handling of past force cases since they made headlines last year.
Federal immigration agents visit office of Maine health care provider facing fraud allegations
Federal immigration agents Tuesday afternoon visited Gateway Community Services’ office in Lewiston, the company’s lawyer said.
Maine Democrat backs investigation into former employer over MaineCare fraud allegations
Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, said Tuesday she had no involvement in billing practices of a former employer facing MaineCare fraud allegations.
How Maine farmers are fighting a drought that will stretch into 2026
Already in its seventh month, this year’s drought has been a wakeup call to farmers, who were used to long stretches of rainfall.
Maine Republican plans to call for probe into alleged interpreter fraud
Maine’s expenditures on interpreter services were first flagged by a federal agent as entering the territory of waste, abuse or fraud in 2020.
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