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Federal Officials Criticize Old Orchard Beach Over Employment of Officer with Unclear Immigration Status

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Old Orchard Beach Police Department officials maintained that they followed the proper procedures to verify the employment eligibility of a reserve officer, Jon-Luke Evans, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July. Evans, a 23-year-old seasonal employee, provided identification and a work authorization card, which was verified through the Department of Homeland Security's online system, E-Verify. However, ICE officials accused Evans of overstaying his visa, issued in September 2023, and accused the police department of improperly relying on E-Verify.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Old Orchard Beach Police Department uses the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of its applicants, including seasonal employees like reserve officer Jon-Luke Evans.
  • Evans provided identification and a work authorization card, which was verified through E-Verify, and was not set to expire until 2030, according to town officials.
  • ICE officials accused Evans of overstaying his visa and accused the police department of improperly relying on E-Verify, but town officials maintained that they followed the proper procedures.
  • Evans was arrested by ICE on July 25 after attempting to purchase a firearm, which was flagged by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
  • Legal experts say there is an ambiguity in the law between having a lawful immigration status and being legally authorized to work, and that there are many different ways someone can obtain a work permit, even if their visa has expired.
  • The E-Verify system has been touted as being accurate, and experts say that absent proof that Evans did not have a work permit, it is unclear what more the police department could have done.

Statistics:

  • Evans' work authorization document was not set to expire until 2030, according to town officials.
  • Evans attempted to purchase a firearm on a date known only to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials, who declined to comment on the matter.
  • According to ICE, Evans lawfully came to the U.S. in September 2023 but overstayed his visa.
  • 180 days: The amount of time asylum-seekers must wait to apply for a work permit after applying for asylum.
  • Asylum-seekers, individuals paroled after crossing the border, those waiting for a green card, and individuals granted temporary protected status or deferred action can also seek a work permit in the U.S.

Sources:

  • Press Herald, July 29, 2025
  • Department of Homeland Security statement, July 29, 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, July 2025
  • Old Orchard Beach Police Department officials, July 2025
  • University of Connecticut School of Law Asylum and Human Rights Clinic, July 2025
  • University of Maine School of Law Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, July 2025
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials, July 2025

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