Old Orchard Beach Faces Controversy Over Illegal Immigrant Police Hire
Old Orchard Beach, Maine, is embroiled in controversy following the arrest of Jon-Luke Evans, a Jamaican national and seasonal reserve officer, who allegedly attempted to buy a firearm for his role in the police department. Evans provided a Massachusetts driver’s license along with a Jamaican passport and social security documents during his application process, leading town officials to assert they followed due diligence in hiring.
However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested him last week, stating he violated U.S. immigration law by overstaying his visa, subsequently triggering a background check by federal agents when he attempted to purchase a gun. ICE officials criticized the department’s hiring practices, stating that no illegal alien should serve in law enforcement.
Old Orchard Beach’s Police Chief Elise Chard defended the department’s actions, claiming that all documents were authenticated through the government’s E-Verify system and asserting that blame should not fall on local law enforcement. In a rebuttal, Town Manager Diana Asanza expressed concern that federal critiques undermine public trust in municipal services, questioning the reliability of E-Verify. The dispute highlights tensions between local authorities and federal enforcement regarding immigration and employment verification.
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