AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, issued the following statement regarding the ICE detention of Old Orchard Beach Reserve Police Officer Jon Luke Evans:
“As an elected official who is committed to fair and transparent immigration and public safety practices, I am deeply concerned by the recent detention of Reserve Police Officer Jon Luke Evans by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 25, 2025. ICE alleges that Officer Evans overstayed his visa and attempted to purchase a firearm, rendering him ineligible to serve in law enforcement.
“At the same time, Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard has stated that the Department of Homeland Security cleared Officer Evans to work in May 2025 — authorizing him through March 2030 via the federal E-Verify system — and that his hiring complied with all required background checks, physical examinations, and training protocols. According to Chief Chard, the department was not officially notified of the arrest but first learned of it through ICE’s press release, raising serious concerns about inter-agency communication and procedural clarity.
“In light of these conflicting accounts, I am calling for:
- A thorough federal review of the E-Verify and DHS authorization process that allowed Officer Evans to begin work in good faith in May 2025.
- Clearer protocols to ensure that local law enforcement is formally notified in advance of any actions involving its personnel.
“This incident highlights the importance and necessity of reliable federal systems to support the lawful employment of noncitizen residents in community-serving roles. We must do better to prevent such situations in the future, protect community trust and ensure fairness and accountability.”
Contact:
Brian Lee (Gramlich) | 305-965-2744