Maine Officer Chooses Voluntary Departure from U.S. Following ICE Detention

A police officer from Maine, Jon Luke Evans, has decided to voluntarily exit the United States following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by NBC News. Evans, a reserve officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department and originally from Jamaica, was apprehended by ICE on July 25 under allegations of visa overstay and unlawful firearm purchase attempts. ICE disclosed that a judge had approved Evans' voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the country at his cost instead of facing deportation. Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard previously stated that federal authorities had assured the department of Evans’ legal work status in the U.S. Chard noted that the department confirmed his employment eligibility through the E-Verify system. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin criticized the town's “reckless reliance” on E-Verify. Chard reaffirmed the commitment to adhere to all state and federal employment laws, stating the town will continue employing the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and E-Verify.