Maine immigrant advocates mobilize as ICE presence expected to increase, hotline launched
PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) -- As Maine residents prepare for an increase in ICE agents, immigrant advocates are offering support.
According to the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, there were 250 immigrant arrests and detentions in Maine last year.
Director Mufalo Chitam says she is an immigrant herself, and the warnings from Maine leaders have been alarming and overwhelming for the immigrant community.
She is urging people to prepare for raids, and potentially a large number of them happening all at once.
"The weight of this work, you feel it. I feel it in this moment," Chitam said. "Know your rights, the training, the materials, resources. But above all, the resource sharing, and people get to know what to do, who their go-to people are in each community."
Chitam says the group launched a hotline for people to call for general questions, or for situations like if ICE is at your door, or if a family member is detained or arrested.
The hotline is 207-544-9989.
