Member organizations and partners of the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition (MRC) and the People’s Coalition for Safety & Justice (PCS) announced late last week the launch of a volunteer-run ICE Watch Hotline Hub.

The hotline will document the activity of law enforcement agencies that are targeting immigrant workers and asylum-seeking refugees, provide real-time verified information about immigrtion enforcement activity and connect families to resources and support services.

The group has already trained over 150 volunteers as multilingual operators to receive calls and mobile verifiers to confirm or refute sightings, as well as document incidents as needed.  Training includes a focus on the de-escalation tools and non-confrontation with law enforcement,

Data from federal immigration enforcement as of July 31, 2025, indicates that about 80 % of those arrested in the state had no criminal conviction and 33% had never even been charged with a crime.

Some hotlines exist around the country and are increasingly networked as immigrants in detention are being shipped across state lines more frequently.  The Maine ICE Watch Hotline also serves as a resource hub  for immigrant famillies to be prepared in the case of separation, to seek legal and financial support and to access a variety of community resources.

“This hotline embodies what solidarity means — showing up for our neighbors when they need us most.  When our immigrant families are under attack, protecting them isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential to who we are as a community,” said Wes Pelletier, Portland City Councilor from District 2.