immigration Archives - Centralmaine.com

Business, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics

Trump signs $100K fee on H-1B visas, potentially affecting Maine tech workers

by Barbara Ortutay and Seung Min Kim September 20, 2025September 22, 2025

While certain to face legal challenges, the move could impact hundreds of skilled workers in the state.

Local & State, News, Politics

Portland citizenship ceremony brings relief amid immigration crackdown

by Randy Billings September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

The country’s intense immigration enforcement and divisive political rhetoric weighed on Wednesday’s ceremony as 50 people from 28 countries were naturalized as American citizens.

Local & State, News

Three Ecuadorian men ask Maine’s U.S. District Court to halt their expedited removals

by Emily Allen September 5, 2025September 5, 2025

A group of petitions filed this week are the latest instance in which Maine’s federal bench is being asked to wade deeper into immigration enforcement.

Local & State, Nation & World, News

ICE releases Ecuadorian man Border Patrol flew from Maine to Texas

by Daniel Kool September 2, 2025September 3, 2025

Edgar Vicente Bermeo Sicha was released from ICE custody on Saturday, one day after a federal judge in Maine ordered the agency to do so, according to a status update filed with the court Monday.

Local & State

Federal judge in Maine orders release of Ecuadorian man whom Border Patrol flew to Texas

by Emily Allen August 30, 2025August 30, 2025

Edgar Vicente Bermeo Sicha was arrested July 28 and flown to Texas several weeks later. A judge ruled that detention violated Bermeo Sicha’s due process rights.

Local & State

Federal judge in Maine considers whether to bring back a man Border Patrol flew to Texas

by Emily Allen August 29, 2025August 29, 2025

Edgar Vicente Bermeo Sicha’s lawyer said Border Patrol held his client for weeks.

Local & State, Maine Crime, News

Erratic driving led to Skowhegan traffic stop, detaining of 14 Romanians

by Jake Freudberg August 28, 2025August 28, 2025

Border Patrol agents detained 10 people stopped in a vehicle, a family member who came to the scene in another car and another 3 people staying at a nearby hotel, according to police reports.

Local & State, Religion and Values

How Maine churches are reckoning with fear of immigration raids

by Sean Scott August 24, 2025August 24, 2025

Faith leaders are working to set up protocols for interacting with federal agents and ensuring immigrants know their rights, as well as helping to launch an ICE watch initiative.