In a stunning turn of events, federal detainees held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were abruptly removed from Cumberland County Jail late Thursday night, just hours after Sheriff Kevin Joyce publicly criticized the agency’s practices. But here’s where it gets controversial: the sheriff’s bold remarks—which included labeling ICE’s tactics as “bush-league policing”—seem to have triggered an immediate response from federal officials. Could this be a case of retaliation, or simply a coincidence? Let’s dive in.
The Cumberland County Jail, which typically houses around 60 federal detainees, became the center of attention after Joyce held a press conference to address the recent apprehension of a county corrections officer by ICE. The officer, who was stopped in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood, was detained in a swift three-minute operation captured on video. What’s more, witnesses reported that the officer’s car was left running on the side of the road after agents took him into custody—a detail that Joyce cited as evidence of ICE’s negligence. The sheriff argued that the officer had no criminal record, raising questions about the necessity and fairness of the arrest. And this is the part most people miss: the federal government pays the jail $150 per day for each detainee, making the financial implications of this move significant for the county.
Among those moved from the jail was Tong Qi Lu, a 56-year-old Chinese native who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years and owns a restaurant in Bangor. Despite a federal judge’s order not to transfer him out of state, ICE’s online locator now shows Lu being held at the Plymouth County Correctional Center in Massachusetts. It’s unclear whether this transfer occurred before or after Lu’s attorney, Oriana Farnham, filed an emergency petition to prevent it. Farnham revealed that ICE had previously determined in 2020 that Lu’s removal to China was unlikely and that he posed no community risk. He has been complying with ICE’s conditions for five years, and his petition for lawful permanent status remains pending. This raises a critical question: Why was Lu moved in apparent defiance of a court order?
The timing of these events is hard to ignore. Just months ago, Cumberland County commissioners voted against a proposal to end the jail’s contract with ICE, despite persistent calls from community advocates. Now, ICE’s sudden decision to remove its detainees feels like a direct response to Joyce’s criticism. Is this a power play by federal authorities, or a routine operational decision? We’ll leave that for you to decide in the comments.
This story is still developing, but one thing is clear: the intersection of local law enforcement, federal immigration policy, and individual rights is as complex as it is contentious. What do you think? Is Sheriff Joyce’s criticism justified, or has he overstepped his bounds? Let us know your thoughts below.
Morgan Womack and Emily Allen contributed reporting for the Portland Press Herald. Womack covers breaking news and public safety, while Allen specializes in court proceedings. Their combined expertise ensures a comprehensive look at this unfolding story.
