As many readers are already aware, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun a terror campaign here in Maine, kidnapping community members and separating families. Fear and despair are natural responses to the local and national news, but action is the antidote to despair. In the face of fascistic policies and violence, we must find ways to help our neighbors.

The following are resources in Maine related to ICE and supporting immigrant community members. This is a starting point for getting involved, not an exhaustive list. Solidarity means using your resources and skills to speak up and act up for your community. Circumstances are changing every day, and everyone’s skills are needed. If you can’t commit time or money immediately, join these organizations’ email lists to hear about new opportunities to help as they arise.

IF YOU SEE ICE IN OUR COMMUNITIES:

Maine ICE Watch has created a hotline for reporting ICE activity. Save their number (207-544-9989) in your phone. Because of the current call volume, they are asking folks to text the number with SALUTE information unless ICE is at their door (and to call in that case).

• Size (how many agents)
• Activity (what they are doing)
• Location (as specific as possible)
• Unit (identifiable agencies)
• Time (and date)
• Equipment (vehicle descriptions and license plates, tactical vests, masks, weapons, etc.)

YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:

• Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition has information about your rights as a Mainer with any legal status, alongside resources about legal aid, recording ICE encounters and more. This organization directs to many more resources that Maine has in place for dealing with ICE. If you only look up one of these websites, make it this one.

IF YOU CAN GIVE MONEY OR TIME:

These organizations need urgent donations and volunteers to provide food, legal resources and emergency funds for our neighbors. Different efforts need different skills and support. Find where you can contribute!

• Maine Solidarity Fund provides rapid response mutual aid to immigrant and transgender communities in Maine. They are a subsidiary of the People’s Coalition for Safety and Justice and handle both donations and aid requests.
• Maine Needs provides clothing, household necessities and other emergency items to anyone in need, including immigrant communities. They are supporting folks sheltering in place from increased ICE presence.
• Project Relief ME is a racial justice oriented mutual aid collective providing direct support to community members.
• Mainers For Humane Immigration focuses on supporting folks detained by ICE and their families. Their programs include letter writing to people in detention and coordinating transportation and other logistics when detainees are released.
• No ICE for Maine is pushing Cumberland County to end its contract and collaboration with ICE. They are a helpful source of news and updates via email and social media.
• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project provides legal aid to Maine’s immigrant communities and represents people across the state.
• Presente! Maine is a “grassroots, mutual aid organization by and for displaced and dispossessed Afro/Indigenous-Latines in Maine.” They provide food and other emergency assistance.
• ACLU of Maine is conducting Know Your Rights trainings in-person and online and engages in legislative advocacy.
• The Locker Project, based in Cumberland County, works on preventing hunger for young people. They are collaborating with Maine Needs and other organizations to get food to folks sheltering in place.
• Food For All provides culturally relevant and affordable foods for Maine’s immigrant and low-income communities, lowering barriers to access halal and vegan options for families and in school lunches. They operate out of Portland but are available to the whole state.

Whether we are born Mainers or new to this community, we as Bowdoin students, staff and faculty have much to offer in supporting our neighbors threatened by ICE. Our friends in Minnesota have demonstrated the courage, tenacity and organization needed to stand up and fight back. We are ready to answer the call.

Eli Bundy is a member of the Class of 2027.