Luke Evans, a Jamaican police officer serving as a reserve officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, has agreed to voluntarily leave the United States following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Evans, who had previously cleared federal background checks to work with the town’s police department, was taken into custody on July 25. ICE officials accused him of overstaying his visa and attempting to purchase a firearm illegally, according to media reports.
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After several weeks in detention, an immigration judge approved Evans’ request for voluntary departure, allowing him to exit the country at his own expense rather than undergo formal deportation proceedings. ICE officials indicated he could leave as soon as Monday.
His case sparked friction between local officials and federal authorities. Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard said Evans’ eligibility to work had been verified through E-Verify, a federal system that cross-checks employment data with government records. However, Homeland Security officials later faulted the town for relying too heavily on the program.
Town officials have since reaffirmed their commitment to compliance with both state and federal hiring requirements, noting they will continue using E-Verify alongside the I-9 employment form.
Evans was initially held at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island before being transferred to an ICE facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. It remains unclear whether he had legal representation during the proceedings.
By accepting voluntary departure, Evans avoids a formal deportation order but must cover the costs of his return to Jamaica.
