A reserve officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department has agreed to voluntarily leave the United States after being arrested by immigration authorities, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Monday.
Officer Jon Luke Evans, originally from Jamaica, was detained by ICE on July 25 as part of the agency’s renewed immigration enforcement campaign. His arrest sparked controversy after local officials said federal authorities had previously confirmed Evans was legally authorized to work in the country.
An ICE spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press that a judge granted Evans voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the U.S. at his own expense rather than face formal deportation. The official did not provide details on when Evans would depart.
The case has fueled tensions between Old Orchard Beach officials and federal authorities. Police Chief Elise Chard stated that the department had relied on the federal government’s E-Verify system to confirm Evans’ eligibility for employment, submitting all necessary documents through the Department of Homeland Security prior to his hiring.
However, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin accused the town of “reckless reliance” on E-Verify, raising questions about the system’s reliability.
Evans’ arrest also drew attention after ICE claimed he overstayed his visa and unlawfully attempted to purchase a firearm. Meanwhile, his colleagues at the Old Orchard Beach Police Department said he was “missed and respected,” emphasizing their surprise at the situation.
Confusion remains about Evans’ detention status. ICE’s online records indicated he was held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, though facility officials said he had been transferred to an ICE center in Burlington, Massachusetts.
As of Monday, it remained unclear whether Evans had legal representation. Attempts to reach him at the detention center went unanswered.
Chief Chard said the town is aware of Evans’ decision to leave voluntarily, adding:
“The town reiterates its ongoing commitment to meeting all state and federal laws regarding employment. We will continue to rely on the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and the E-Verify database to confirm employment eligibility.”
The case has reignited broader debate about immigration enforcement and the reliability of federal verification systems, with critics arguing that employers are being put in difficult positions when federal databases later conflict with ICE actions.
Our channels shares politics, arts & culture, sports, business, Lifestyle, science, technology, health, education, history and environmental news across the globe.
Suomi 
English 