An opportunity for leadership on the Scarborough ICE facility | Opinion

Jon Anderson is the Scarborough Democratic Town Committee chair. Molly LeComte is the committee’s vice chair.

There are moments when a community asks us not simply to choose a side, but to find a way forward. The debate over the federal ICE facility at 40 Manson Libby Road has become one of those moments for Scarborough and the state of Maine.

We understand the frustration in our community. Many residents have asked what can be done about a federal facility that they believe does not reflect the values they want for their town. After the tragic and avoidable death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero at the hands of an ICE agent in Biddeford, Mainers have again called on their elected officials to act. And they have asked whether the owner of the property can play a role.

We believe the answer to that last question should be yes — not because the property owner can simply evict ICE, but because the owner has an opportunity to become an important part of the solution.

Property owner Josh Soley has explained publicly that the property is leased to the federal government through the General Services Administration, and that GSA has substantial autonomy over which federal agency uses the space. The lease reportedly began in 2019 and runs for 15 years. In other words, this is not as simple as a landlord telling a tenant to leave.

We appreciate that distinction. We also appreciate that Mr. Soley has been candid about it. He has said that the way to change the federal tenant is to engage with GSA. We agree — and we hope he’ll join us in doing exactly that.

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As the property owner, Mr. Soley has unique standing to initiate a series of conversations with the GSA, which the town or other officials cannot do:

• He could formally ask GSA to consider replacing ICE with another federal agency.
• He could offer to work cooperatively with GSA if the federal government determines that ICE should be relocated.
• He could ask GSA to review whether another federal use of the property would better serve the government, the surrounding community and the people who use the building.
• And, if the GSA is not cooperative, when the current lease eventually comes to an end, he could make clear to the GSA that ICE could no longer be a tenant, or as an owner, he would choose not to renew the lease.

None of these steps requires Mr. Soley to break the law or breach a contract. They would simply demonstrate that a property owner is willing to join with the community and use his standing to help find a better outcome. We are asking Josh Soley to become an advocate alongside his community for a different future for 40 Manson Libby Road.

This could become a positive story of a local property owner who, joining with his community and with his elected officials, becomes part of a groundswell that finally rids our town of an unwanted element. Mr. Soley, we ask you to join with us — the Town Council, many of our legislative and statewide elected officials and the clear majority of the town that wants Scarborough to be a beacon for freedom, dignity, justice and safety for all.

We know it’s not an easy request, but we are stronger together when we take collective action to stand up for our neighbors rights and safety. Mr. Soley, please join us as we together ask for positive change for Scarborough. We have attempted to reach out to you privately to partner and have not received a response. We are ready to meet when you are.

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