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Jon Luke Evans: Photo Obtained by the |
A police officer in Maine who was taken into custody by federal immigration agents last month has decided to leave the United States voluntarily, according to officials. The case has exposed tensions between a small coastal town, federal authorities, and the government’s own system for verifying whether workers are eligible for employment.
Officer Arrested in July
Jon Luke Evans, a Jamaican national serving as a reserve officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, was arrested on July 25 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal officials later alleged that he had overstayed his visa and had also attempted to obtain a firearm without proper legal status.
On Monday, an ICE spokesperson confirmed that an immigration judge granted Evans the option of voluntary departure. This arrangement permits him to leave the country at his own cost, avoiding a formal deportation order that could create long-term barriers to returning. Officials did not disclose when Evans is expected to travel.
Town Says It Followed the Rules
Evans’ arrest quickly became a flashpoint in Old Orchard Beach. Town leaders and Police Chief Elise Chard said they had no reason to believe Evans was ineligible to work when he was hired. They pointed out that his information had been run through the federal E-Verify database, the government’s official tool for checking employment eligibility, and that all required paperwork was filed.
“The town has always taken care to comply with state and federal laws on employment,” Chard said in a statement. She added that the department would continue to use both the I-9 process and E-Verify to screen workers.
Federal officials, however, pushed back. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin criticized the town for what she called an overreliance on E-Verify. While the online system is meant to help employers confirm eligibility, it has been criticized for being incomplete or producing errors that let unauthorized workers slip through.
Detention and Transfer Confusion
Records on ICE’s online detainee tracking site listed Evans at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island. Yet officials at the facility later clarified that he had been moved to an ICE center in Burlington, Massachusetts. ICE did not comment on the conflicting information. It also remains unclear whether Evans has retained a lawyer, and messages left for him in custody were not returned.
Voluntary Departure Versus Deportation
Choosing voluntary departure rather than facing removal proceedings gives Evans certain advantages. A deportation order carries significant restrictions that can bar someone from reentering the United States for years. Voluntary departure, by contrast, allows a person to leave without the same legal penalties, though the individual must cover their own costs and depart within a court-ordered deadline.
Local news outlet WMTW-TV reported that Evans will now have to make his own travel arrangements. If he fails to leave within the allowed timeframe, the order could be converted into a deportation.
Broader Issues Raised
Evans’ case illustrates the difficulties small towns face when hiring workers who are foreign nationals, particularly in sensitive roles like policing. Old Orchard Beach officials insist they followed the government’s own procedures, but Homeland Security’s criticism suggests employers may still face scrutiny even when they use the very tools provided by federal agencies.
The incident also underscores a wider point about immigration enforcement. ICE has said it will continue focusing not only on people who entered the country without authorization, but also on those who initially had legal status but later violated visa terms.
What Comes Next
For now, Evans awaits his departure from the country. Meanwhile, Old Orchard Beach leaders maintain that they acted properly and are standing by their use of E-Verify despite federal criticism. The outcome leaves unresolved questions about whether towns and cities can rely on the systems available to them, or whether local governments will be expected to go further in vetting their own employees.