ICE Arrests Old Orchard Beach Police Reserve Officer Accused of Being in US Illegally

Strategic Insights -

Patricia Hyde, ICE ERO Boston's acting field officer, criticized the Old Orchard Beach department for hiring an immigrant without legal status, and accused the police of "knowingly breaking" the law. The officer, Jon Luke Evans, had been cleared by the federal Department of Homeland Security prior to being hired and had submitted his I-9 form to the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program, which verified his status.

However, despite being verified, Evans had overstayed his visa and was scheduled to depart the US on October 1, 2023, but never boarded the flight. He attempted to purchase a firearm, which triggered an alert to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which coordinated with ICE. "We have a police department that was knowingly breaking the very law they are charged with enforcing in order to employ an illegal alien," Hyde said.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jon Luke Evans, an Old Orchard Beach police reserve officer, was arrested by ICE on Friday, accused of being in the US illegally and attempting to purchase a firearm.
  • Evans had been cleared by the Department of Homeland Security prior to being hired, but had overstayed his visa and was scheduled to depart the US on October 1, 2023.
  • Evans' I-9 form was submitted to the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program, which verified his status, but he was not authorized to work in the US.
  • Evans attempted to purchase a firearm, which triggered an alert to the ATF, which coordinated with ICE.
  • Patricia Hyde, ICE ERO Boston's acting field officer, criticized the Old Orchard Beach department for hiring an immigrant without legal status and accused the police of "knowingly breaking" the law.
  • The Old Orchard Beach Police Department relied on DHS and its E-Verify program to ensure it was meeting its obligations, but was "distressed and deeply concerned" about the apparent error on the part of the federal government.
  • The department will conduct a thorough internal review of the facts and circumstances.

Statistics:

  • Jon Luke Evans was originally from Jamaica and lawfully entered the US in September 2023.
  • Evans overstayed his visa and was scheduled to depart the US on October 1, 2023.
  • The Old Orchard Beach Police Department submitted Evans' I-9 form to the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program on May 12.
  • Evans was arrested by ICE on an unspecified date in July 2025.
  • The arrest of Evans is similar to a case in April 2025, where an illegally present corrections officer was arrested after attempting to purchase a firearm.

Sources:

  • Drew Johnson, "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested an Old Orchard Beach police reserve officer Friday, saying he was in the United States unlawfully, and had illegally tried to purchase a firearm in Biddeford." (Portland Press Herald, July 2025)
  • Patricia Hyde, ICE ERO Boston's acting field officer, quoted in the ICE announcement.
  • Elise Chard, Old Orchard Beach Police Chief, quoted in the Old Orchard Beach Police Department statement.