ICE agents are just doing their job | Letter

Letter to the editor applauds Sen. Susan Collins on Biddeford shooting, urges respect for authority

In a letter published in the Maine Press Herald on July 24, 2026, a resident of Zephyrhills, Florida, praised a forthcoming opinion piece by George Russell and defended the actions of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins after the fatal shooting of Mr. Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. The letter, signed “Rachel Dolan,” praised the senator’s record and called for Americans to “smarten up” and respect the rule of law.

The letter opens with the writer’s commendation of Russell’s upcoming op‑ed, titled “Dumping Biddeford killing at Collins’ feet is sick, unfair,” which was scheduled for publication on July 26. Dolan writes, “Kudos to George Russell for his July 26 op‑ed (‘Dumping Biddeford killing at Collins’ feet is sick, unfair’).” The op‑ed, which appears in the same publication, argues that Collins’ response to the Biddeford shooting was appropriate and that the senator has consistently acted in the best interests of Maine and the United States.

The event at the center of the discussion was the shooting death of Mr. Durán Guerrero, a resident of Biddeford, which has prompted debate over the response of state and federal authorities. Dolan notes that “it is sad that people have lost their lives,” and stresses that “disobedience and disrespect of authority figures is a big problem around the world – and especially in this country.” She extends her commentary to the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, saying, “Our ICE agents are doing their job, just like the rest of us. They fear for their lives every day when they leave their families to go to work.”

In closing, Dolan urges readers to respect authority and calls for a collective effort to “smarten up.” She ends with a patriotic note: “God bless America.”

The letter was addressed to the Maine Press Herald editorial board and was published on the same day that the op‑ed’s author was preparing to release his commentary. The two pieces reflect a broader debate over law enforcement and political leadership in the wake of the Biddeford shooting. While the letter is a personal opinion, it provides insight into how the incident has resonated with readers outside Maine, including residents of Florida who are following the state’s political discourse.