By Mary Campell

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — A controversy is unfolding in this coastal resort town after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested reserve Officer Jon‑Luke Evans on July 25, 2025, for allegedly overstaying his visa and attempting to purchase a firearm for use in his seasonal policing duties.

Federal Position

ICE contends that Evans, a Jamaican national, entered the United States lawfully in September 2023 but then failed to depart as required in October 2023, thereby violating visa terms. His attempted firearm purchase reportedly triggered an alert that led to his arrest by coordinated efforts between ICE and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Local Authorities Push Back

Police Chief Elise Chard—whose department had hired Evans as a reserve officer for the summer season—asserts that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had verified Evans’s eligibility to work as recently as May 2025, with authorization valid until 2030, via the E‑Verify system. Evans passed routine screening, medical, physical, and background checks before his June appointment, according to Chard.

Chard described the incident as a “distressing” error and announced that the department had launched an internal review. She also criticized the lack of direct notification from ICE or DHS, noting that the department only learned of Evans’s detention via ICE’s public statement.

Federal Response & Oversight

DHS officials, including Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, have criticized the department’s reliance on E‑Verify, emphasizing that it does not absolve employers of the duty to verify legal documentation themselves. In DHS’s words, the Old Orchard Beach Police Department’s “reckless reliance on E‑Verify … does not absolve them of their failure to conduct basic background checks”.

Local Fallout and Broader Implications

Town officials—including Town Manager Diana Asanza and Maine State Representative Lori K. Gramlich—have called for federal review of the E‑Verify and authorization process, as well as clearer protocols to ensure local agencies are informed before federal action affecting personnel. Internally, the department has acknowledged Evans was “highly respected” and that his removal amid the busy tourist season has been demoralizing.

Legal and Policy Dimensions

Legal experts observe that E‑Verify provides a presumption of lawful work authorization when used correctly—but can fail if documents are authentic but used improperly. That means the hiring entity may still bear legal accountability if basic verification of status wasn’t independently confirmed.

Evans’s current immigration and legal status remain unclear. It is unknown whether he has retained counsel or where he is being held. Observation of procedural errors in this case may spark legislative or administrative changes in how federal authorities coordinate with local agencies about personnel status.

Key Timeline & Developments

Legal Considerations & Next Steps

– The E‑Verify system is intended to validate work eligibility, but its effectiveness hinges on accurate document and data use.
– Local employers are expected to go beyond system confirmations, performing independent due diligence to verify legal status.
– The disconnect between DHS-approved authorization and ICE arrest highlights systemic gaps in interagency communication.
– Upcoming reviews—both internal and federal—may result in tightened protocols for immigration vetting in local government hiring practices.

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