On January 21, ICE agents arrested Emanuel Landila, an asylum seeker from Angola, in Portland, Maine, where he was working as a corrections officer recruit. Shortly after the incident, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce defended Landila, whom he had vetted and hired a year prior. “In fact, he was squeaky clean,” Joyce remarked, criticizing ICE’s handling of the situation as unprofessional. The sheriff described the tactical approach of the agents as “bush league policing,” emphasizing that their rapid actions left Landila’s car with the windows down and the lights on, creating a safety hazard.
Weeks after the incident, Joyce spoke out against ICE operations at the National Sheriffs Association conference in Washington, D.C. He denounced the aggressive tactics employed during the arrest, stating, “They came at him like storm troopers,” and that the focus seemed to be on meeting quotas rather than maintaining professionalism in law enforcement. This approach has strained the relationship between local police and ICE, particularly as communities grapple with the implications of mass deportations.
During the conference, many sheriffs expressed the need for better communication with ICE and a call for respect in collaborative efforts. “The communication is the worst of the worst,” one sheriff noted, highlighting the challenges of cooperation when ICE agents operate independently in local jurisdictions. Joyce emphasized that current enforcement tactics are more divisive than protective, suggesting cooperation is essential for effective policing. He pointed out that providing access to detained individuals within jails offers a more efficient method for ICE, reducing the need for field arrests.
Over the past year, more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies have signed partnership agreements with ICE, agreeing to hold inmates for pickup. Yet, some states are moving toward restrictions on this collaboration, while others require cooperation with ICE. As Joyce discussed the complexities of this issue, he also acknowledged that some sheriffs monetize ICE partnerships by renting out jail space at $150 per inmate per day, with cumulative earnings reaching about $3 million annually for some facilities.
Following the press conference, ICE withdrew its detainees from Cumberland County Jail, citing concerns over the hiring of illegal aliens and subpoenaing the Sheriff’s Office for employment records. Joyce maintained that Landila had undergone appropriate vetting prior to his employment. After three weeks in detention, a federal judge ordered Landila’s release on bond, and Joyce is now evaluating whether he can still employ Landila.
In a meeting with Maine lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Joyce discussed the looming potential for obstructed funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) if stricter policing standards for immigration agents are not considered. Democrats have proposed that these standards include limiting the use of masks by agents, mandating body cameras, and requiring judicial warrants before executing arrests. These proposed measures aim to enhance transparency and public trust in law enforcement.
As law enforcement officials navigate these tensions between local policing and federal immigration enforcement, Joyce’s ultimate concern remains clear. “We have to go back to our cities with a message of things are going to get better by the summer. If we don’t, it’s going to be a long summer,” he warned, underscoring the need for unity amidst growing challenges in federal-state relations over immigration policy and enforcement.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000010686059/sheriffs-voice-frustration-with-ice.html
Category : United States Politics and Government,Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US),Police,Federal-State Relations (US),Politics and Government,vis-video
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Publish Date: 2026-02-13 15:31:00
