LePage says ICE should target ‘criminals first.’ That hasn’t been happening in Maine, data shows.

LePage urges ICE to focus on criminals, not long‑time residents

August 26, 2026 – AUGUSTA – Former Maine governor Paul LePage, the Republican nominee for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, made a sharp statement about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, saying the agency should give priority to gang members and other criminals over long‑standing residents.

“We’re going to do what we have to do,” LePage said to reporters. “Are they here legally? If they’re not here legally, they’ve broken the law, unfortunately. And ICE officers have a job to do.” When asked what “first” meant, the former governor replied, “Would I go after everybody that’s here, that have work permits and have been here for decades? Probably not. I’d probably go for the people in the gangs and the criminals — I would start there.”

The comments came as LePage accepted an endorsement from Maine’s Fraternal Order of Police during a campaign event at Compotech in Brewer and as he met with the media in Augusta. He faces Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap in the November election. LePage, a former Waterville mayor, has repeatedly pushed for stricter immigration enforcement during his political career. As governor he ended the state’s participation in refugee resettlement and cut public support for non‑citizens seeking asylum.

ICE data contradicts LePage’s focus

A recent analysis of ICE arrest records in Maine shows a different picture. According to public data gathered by the Deportation Data Project and examined by the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, 69% of people arrested by ICE in the first seven months of 2026 had no criminal record, while only 12% had a conviction. The study, released last month, highlights that the largest increase in arrests of people with no criminal history occurred in Maine, the highest rate in the country.

Maine also saw more than 200 people arrested and seized during ICE’s “Operation Catch of the Day” in January, an operation that stated its goal was to target the “worst of the worst.” The operation included people who were in the country without proper authorization, a civil offense rather than a criminal one, according to the American Immigration Council.

The Biddeford shooting fuels debate

LePage’s remarks follow the fatal shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by an ICE agent in Biddeford on July 14. Guerrero, a 32‑year‑old Venezuelan, was not a subject of the warrant that ICE agents were executing when he was shot. The incident sparked protests across Maine and calls for an independent investigation. The agent, identified as David Brouillette, has not been charged.

“Durán Guerrero’s killing has spurred continuing protests across the state and demands for accountability,” LePage noted. He did not elaborate on the case beyond acknowledging the public response.

LePage’s stance on law‑enforcement cooperation

LePage also criticized a Maine law that limits cooperation between state and local police and immigration authorities. “This law is a mistake,” he said. The law, passed earlier in the year, restricts Maine officers’ ability to share information with ICE.

Personal remarks and campaign positioning

In a separate comment, LePage said that his son’s father‑in‑law, who holds a work permit, is facing deportation because of his country of origin. “He’s from a country that’s not to the liking of certain people in Washington. That’s not right,” LePage said, though he did not disclose the country.

Polls indicate that more than half of Maine voters disapprove of former President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration—a sentiment that could influence LePage’s appeal in a district that leans competitive.

Looking ahead

LePage’s focus on targeting gang members and other criminals comes at a time when Maine voters are grappling with high-profile ICE incidents and the broader national debate over immigration enforcement. Whether his emphasis on selective enforcement will resonate with constituents remains to be seen as the November election approaches.

For more coverage on Maine’s 2026 election, stay tuned to Maine News Now.