Maine Police: Federal Error Caused Hiring of Officer Arrested by ICE

Officer Arrested for Visa Violation and Illegal Gun Purchase

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently arrested a reserve police officer from Old Orchard Beach, Maine, triggering a significant controversy involving federal verification processes and employment laws. The officer, Jon Luke Evans, a Jamaican national, was accused of overstaying his visa and attempting to purchase a gun illegally.

Hiring Process and Federal Verification

Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard issued a statement explaining that the department relied on the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to confirm Evans' eligibility to work in the United States. According to Chard, all necessary legal documents, including an I-9 form, were approved before hiring Evans in May 2025. She emphasized that the department followed all procedures to ensure compliance with U.S. laws.

"The Old Orchard Beach Police Department takes its legal responsibilities very seriously, and takes great care to follow the laws that we are tasked with enforcing," Chard said. "In hiring Evans, our department and our community relied on the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to ensure we were meeting our obligations, and we are distressed and deeply concerned about this apparent error on the part of the federal government."

E-Verify is a web-based system used by employers to confirm a potential employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. Chard stated that the form was submitted and approved by DHS on May 12, 2025, and that Evans would not have been allowed to start work until his status was verified.

Background and Role of Reserve Officers

Maine is one of several states that allow non-citizens to become police officers. Chard noted that Evans passed a background check, physical agility test, and medical evaluations similar to those required for full-time employees. However, she also clarified that reserve police officers are not permitted to take their department-issued firearms home or purchase additional firearms for their duties.

"Reserve officers are not requested to, nor are they allowed to purchase or carry any other firearms for the performance of their duties," Chard said.

ICE's Statement and Concerns

ICE stated that Evans lawfully entered the country on September 24, 2023, in Miami but failed to leave within the allowed timeframe, thus overstaying his visa. Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE ERO Boston, expressed concern over the situation.

"The fact that a police department would hire an illegal alien and unlawfully issue him a firearm while on duty would be comical if it weren't so tragic," Hyde said. "We have a police department that was knowingly breaking the very law they are charged with enforcing in order to employ an illegal alien. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien threats from our New England communities."

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

Chard acknowledged the mistake and mentioned that the department plans to investigate further to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws. It remains unclear where Evans is being held after his arrest on July 25, or whether he has been granted access to a lawyer.

The incident raises important questions about the reliability of federal verification systems and the responsibilities of local law enforcement when relying on such programs. As the situation unfolds, the community and officials will be closely watching for updates and resolutions.