Illegal Maine Police Officer Agrees Voluntary Self-Deportation

Jon Luke Evans, a Jamaican national who illegally overstayed his visa after entering the US in 2023, worked as a reserve police officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, before being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July 2025. Despite undergoing background checks, medical screenings, and law enforcement training, and having his employment verified through the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program, Evans' illegal status was uncovered after he attempted to purchase a firearm, which is against department policies for reserve officers. Following his arrest, an immigration judge granted Evans voluntary departure, allowing him to leave the US at his own expense within a set time, thereby avoiding formal deportation. The case sparked a dispute between Old Orchard Beach officials and ICE, with local authorities asserting they relied on federal verification systems to confirm Evans' eligibility to work, while the Department of Homeland Security criticized the town's reliance on E-Verify. Evans agreed to waive any legal applications to remain in the US and acknowledge his unlawful presence as part of the voluntary departure terms. This case highlights tensions between local hiring practices and federal immigration enforcement.