This week at the ACLU of Maine: Updates on our lawsuit against illegal immigration detention in Maine, covering the Supreme Court term with the community in Machias, and preparing for Pride throughout Maine!
Hearing Scheduled for Habeas Case Challenging Illegal Immigration Detention of Maine Man
A lot has happened since we filed a habeas petition last week on behalf of a Maine man being held indefinitely by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Shortly after filing, the government transferred our client, Eyidi Ambila, from Cumberland County Jail (CCJ) in Portland to a jail in Burlington, Massachusetts, and slated him for "imminent removal" to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Eyidi is essentially stateless; although born in the DRC, the country has no record of him and has refused to issue him travel documents in the past.
That same day, a federal judge in Maine issued an emergency ruling that prevented the federal government from sending Mr. Ambila out of the country while the case proceeds. This is not the final ruling on the matter. Mr. Ambila has been transferred back to CCJ while we wait for a judge to rule on the substantive legal arguments in our case – but he could be moved again at any time. The government must submit a response to our lawsuit by May 30. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 6. In the meantime, Mr. Ambila is continuing to be held indefinitely by ICE.
Read our press release about the case here. Read more about due process and habeas corpus here.
ACLU of Maine Travels to Machias to Talk Supreme Court Decisions
On Thursday, part of our legal team traveled to Machias to meet with community members at the Porter Memorial Library. Our legal director, Carol Garvan, presented on the Supreme Court's 2025 term, the decisions that have already been issued this term, and the major issues that the court has yet to decide.
The event was well-attended and the discussion was rich and spirited! We had an amazing time and cannot wait to continue meeting with community members at similar events around the state. Keep an eye on our events page and subscribe to receive email updates from the ACLU of Maine to be notified about events near you!
Maine Fungi Fest and the Failed War on Drugs
Our policy director, Michael Kebede, joined a panel discussion on Saturday morning about the cost of America's failed War on Drugs. He the need for a public health response to the deadly overdose epidemic instead of the continued policies of punishment and incarceration.
Too many who want treatment for substance use disorder cannot get the help they need. Mainers in all parts of the state need paths to seek support and thrive on their own terms. Criminalizing a health condition creates barriers to recovery, weakens communities, and harms the economy.
Celebrate Pride with Us!
We are participating in three Pride events around Maine in June. We'll be tabling at Pride festivals in Hallowell (6/7) and Bangor (6/28), and marching in the parade at Portland Pride on June 21.
All three of these events are on our events page with more details. In the coming days, we'll post a sign-up form for people who wish to march with us in the Portland parade. Keep an eye on the Portland Pride event page and on an email we're sending out to subscribers next week with more details.
We hope to see you there!
Relevant Reads:
- Portland Press Herald: Judge halts deportation of Maine resident who filed complaint over wrongful detention
- WGME: Advocates worry for Maine's international students amid Harvard's fight with White House
- Bangor Daily News: Penobscot County Jail inmates without lawyers could be released next month
