Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)

08/18/2026

Yesterday, House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson and other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives traveled to Biddeford to join Representative Pingree in an oversight hearing of ICE’s use of force and the killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. ILAP was honored to participate, with our Executive Director, Sue Roche, called as one of the witnesses. Read Sue's statement for the record here: ilapmaine.org/news

08/14/2026

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The Trump administration cannot unilaterally rewrite federal statutes to suit its political agenda.

Hundreds of judges have ruled that the Trump administration’s new policy of subjecting noncitizens living in the country to categorical detention without a bond hearing is unlawful.

08/14/2026

On July 27th, the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.

Now, hundreds of people in Maine, and 350,000 people across the country, are at imminent risk of deportation to one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. A bill that would restore protections has already passed the House, with broad bipartisan support.

Join ILAP in calling on Senator Collins to join the rest of Maine’s Congressional delegation and support this life-saving legislation today!

📢 TAKE ACTION: https://ilapmaine.org/action-alert-tps

08/13/2026

An important read from our partners at the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence on why a recently implemented ICE Out of Maine Law is vital for survivors of domestic violence, especially immigrant survivors, and for all of Maine’s communities.

“Rebuilding trust and ensuring that survivors feel safe seeking help remains critical to protecting victims and holding offenders accountable. Much work lies ahead, and while we all have a role to play, Maine’s new law is key.”

➡️ Read the full op-ed: https://www.pressherald.com/2026/08/12/limit-on-ice-cooperation-will-help-maines-domestic-violence-survivors-opinion/

08/05/2026

Join ILAP’s team! 🧡

ILAP is seeking a full-time HR Director to lead the development and smooth functioning of ILAP’s human resources administration and support the organization in building and retaining a resilient and equitable work environment.

The base salary for this position ranges from $89,116 - $99,725 and includes a generous benefits package. Review of applications will begin on September 10th and will continue until the position is filled.

➡️ Interested? Learn more and apply: https://ilapmaine.org/employment

07/31/2026

Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of Johan Sebastián, whose life was taken by ICE as he was on his way to work Monday morning, July 13th.

We must clearly name that Johan Sebastián’s killing was the result of the Trump administration’s deliberately violent and racist mass deportation campaign. It was not an isolated incident, and it was not an accident.

At the same time, we know that it does not have to be this way. We can defund and dismantle ICE and get them out of our communities now. We can build a just and humane immigration system. We can create a pathway to citizenship for all who call this country home.

Keep organizing, keep fighting, and keep telling your elected officials that you will settle for no less than a Maine and a United States that is Home for All.

➡️ For those who are looking for ways to support the family and show solidarity, you can find the official GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-and-support-for-johan-sebastians-family

07/29/2026

Today is the implementation date for new state laws that put in place some of the strongest protections possible at the state level to safeguard Maine’s people and resources from the administration’s indiscriminate and violent mass deportation agenda.

These laws ensure that Maine’s state and local law enforcement are not entangled with ICE and work to keep Maine’s public institutions safer so that children can go to school, families can seek medical care, and everyone can access public safety resources.

“The ICE Out laws are a necessary and key part of Maine’s response to the federal administration. They are needed to protect all of us,” said ILAP’s Executive Director Sue Roche during yesterday’s press conference.

➡️ Read more: https://www.aclumaine.org/press-releases/aclu-of-maine-files-new-claims-against-federal-agents-as-ice-out-of-maine-laws-take-effect/

07/22/2026

ILAP applauds the Waterville and Bar Harbor communities for recently passing ordinances to protect the rights and safety of their residents against ICE.

While immigration enforcement is controlled by the federal government, municipalities have power over their resources and can ensure that their police departments and city workers do not assist the federal administration in its mass deportation agenda.

We hope more municipalities will follow their lead. We must use all tools available to protect our communities, reject ICE violence, and make clear that Maine’s immigrant communities are cherished and needed. Maine is Home for All.

➡️ Read more about Waterville: https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/07/21/waterville-to-ban-city-employees-from-cooperating-with-ice-including-police/

➡️ Read more about Bar Harbor: https://barharborstory.com/2026/07/08/bar-harbor-council-votes-to-limit-local-cooperation-with-ice/

07/16/2026

A human being is not an immigration status.
A human being is a human being.
We call for Justice for Johan Sebastián.
ICE Out of Maine.

Support Johan Sebastián's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-and-support-for-johan-sebastians-family

07/15/2026

As we mourn the loss of Johan Sebastián here in Maine, our hearts are broken again at the news of another life taken by ICE violence this week in St. Augustine, Florida. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the family and community in Florida, as we do with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s loved ones and Houston.

When ICE is in our neighborhoods, no one is safe. We call for ICE out of Maine and every single community across this country. We demand a Maine and a United States that is Home for All.