Campaigning against Susan Collins in style | Letter
Maine Protest on ICE Killing Sparks Letter to the Editor
Biddeford, Maine – A protest in Biddeford over the death of a legal‑resident immigrant sparked a letter to the editor from a Portland resident that has drawn attention to the ongoing debate over the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the role of Senator Susan Collins.
The protest, held in downtown Biddeford, focused on the killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Mexican immigrant who had lived in the United States legally. According to organizers, Durán Guerrero was detained by ICE and died while in custody. Protesters called for accountability and reforms to prevent similar incidents.
At the demonstration, attendees distributed shirts emblazoned with the message “Senator Collins, abolish ICE now!” The shirts were part of a broader effort by local activists to pressure Senator Collins into taking a more active stance on immigration reform.
In a letter published in the Portland edition of the local paper, 45‑year‑old Kathleen Beirne wrote that she wears the shirt as a reminder to voters that “the bottom line for Susan Collins is that she has not protected law‑abiding residents of the U.S. from torture and death.” Beirne cited Collins’ voting record, including her support for the 2022 “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Act,” as evidence that the senator has failed to safeguard legal residents from the actions of ICE. The letter also references the senator’s Catholic faith, arguing that Collins’ involvement in what Beirne describes as “the killing and inhumane incarceration of legal residents” contradicts the moral teachings of the Church.
“Senator Collins has abandoned the mandate of the faith she professes,” Beirne wrote. “I hope wearing this shirt reminds all legal voters to cast a ballot to remove Sen. Collins from office.” The letter’s author signs only as “Kathleen Beirne, Portland.”
Senator Collins, a Republican representing Maine’s 2‑nd congressional district, has been a vocal supporter of strict immigration enforcement. She has voted in favor of bills that expand ICE’s authority and has defended the agency’s operations in court. Her positions have drawn criticism from immigrant rights groups and some constituents.
The letter has sparked discussion among local residents. Some praise the protester's efforts to bring attention to ICE’s record, while others defend Collins’ stance as necessary for national security. A spokesperson for the senator’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The protest and the subsequent letter underscore the growing tension in Maine over federal immigration policy. As the state’s voters prepare for upcoming elections, the debate over ICE’s role and the accountability of elected officials like Senator Collins continues to take center stage.
