Ice Detained Two Maine Corrections Officers Who Lacked Criminal Records
Maine immigration enforcement · January 2026 detentions · Updated October 2026
ICE Detained Two Maine Corrections Officers Who Lacked Criminal Records: What Happened and Where Are They Now?
In January 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained two Maine corrections officers employed by separate county jails. Officials in Cumberland and York counties said the employees had passed criminal background checks and employment-authorization screening, and reported no known criminal conduct that explained the detentions.
The first officer, later publicly identified as Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila, was detained in Portland on January 21, 2026. The second, a York County Jail employee whose name was not publicly disclosed in the initial official statements, was detained after reporting to an immigration appointment in Scarborough during the same week.
Both officers were later released from ICE custody. Landila returned to work and corrections training by April 2026. The York County officer was reported released in February, although his employment status remained under review at that time.
The incidents raised questions about immigration enforcement priorities, lawful employment authorization, due process and the difference between a criminal conviction and an alleged immigration-law violation.
Their releases should not be confused with a final ruling on every underlying immigration-status question. Public reporting does not establish that the immigration proceedings themselves were permanently closed.
This article relies on published county-official statements, local investigative journalism, federal agency information and court-record resources. Individual immigration files and complete federal detention records are not generally available for unrestricted public review.
ICE Detained Two Maine Corrections Officers: Key Facts
The two arrests became public on January 22 and 23, 2026, during an intensified federal immigration enforcement campaign in Maine called Operation Catch of the Day.
| Detail | Cumberland County officer | York County officer |
|---|---|---|
| Employer | Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office / County Jail | York County Sheriff’s Office / York County Jail |
| Detention | January 21, 2026 | During the same January 2026 enforcement operation |
| Location | Portland’s Bayside neighborhood | Scarborough immigration appointment |
| Identity | Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila | Not named in the county’s initial public statement |
| Criminal history | Sheriff reported no criminal record after hiring checks | County reported background screening and no known crime that would explain a status change |
| Employment verification | Federal work authorization reported valid through spring 2029 | County reported federal I-9 and other work-eligibility verification |
| Later status | Released on bond in February; returned to work and training by April | Released from detention by February 17 |
What Happened to the Two Maine Corrections Officers?
The arrests involved different counties, circumstances and law-enforcement contacts. Both counties said their employees had satisfied employment screening requirements, but ICE took them into immigration custody.
Case one · Portland, January 21
Cumberland County Corrections Recruit
Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila was detained after federal agents stopped him while he was driving through Portland.
He had passed the county’s vetting process and held federal work authorization, according to Sheriff Kevin Joyce.
Subsequent outcome: Released on bond and returned to corrections employment and training.
Case two · Scarborough, January
York County Jail Officer
A York County corrections officer attended a scheduled immigration appointment in Scarborough and was detained there by ICE.
County officials said he had passed criminal background and federal employment-verification checks.
Subsequent outcome: Released from ICE detention by February 17, 2026.
These events should also be distinguished from other ICE detentions involving Maine corrections employees in 2025 and June 2026.
Cumberland County Officer: Arrest in Portland Despite Background Screening
On the evening of January 21, 2026, ICE agents detained a Cumberland County Jail corrections recruit in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood.
The incident was captured on video and subsequently became a major point of dispute between county officials and federal immigration authorities.
Who Was the Cumberland County Officer?
The officer was later identified in public reporting as Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila, an Angolan immigrant who had applied for asylum in the United States.
According to reporting about his immigration case, he entered the United States in 2019 and had an asylum application pending.
Landila had applied to work for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in late 2024 and was hired in February 2025.
What Did the Sheriff’s Background Check Show?
Sheriff Kevin Joyce explained that the county’s employment screening had included a criminal background check, interviews, polygraph screening and verification of permission to work.
According to Joyce, the records available to the Sheriff’s Office did not reveal criminal conduct that would ordinarily disqualify the employee.
The sheriff also said Landila possessed valid federal employment authorization through April 2029.
How Did ICE Detain Him?
Witness accounts and reporting described several agents approaching Landila’s vehicle, removing him and taking him into federal custody.
According to Sheriff Joyce, the agents departed without securing the employee’s vehicle, which had been left running at the roadside.
Joyce publicly criticised that aspect of the arrest and questioned the agents’ tactics.
The incident drew additional attention because Landila worked in the county corrections system and had already undergone law-enforcement employment vetting.
What Did DHS Say?
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Landila had entered the United States illegally by crossing the southern border in 2019.
This was the federal government’s publicly reported explanation of the underlying immigration concern.
The county sheriff’s statements focused on the employee’s absence of known criminal history and possession of an Employment Authorization Document.
These claims concern different legal questions: alleged immigration removability, criminal convictions and permission to work.
Maine Public — DHS Explanation and County Response →
Was Landila Released?
Yes. Later reporting established that he was granted bond in February 2026.
By April 24, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed he had returned to work and was enrolled in corrections training.
The sheriff expected him to graduate from the academy in early May.
This means the January detention should not be described as an ongoing imprisonment as of the article’s October 2026 review.
Portland Press Herald — April 24, 2026 Return-to-Work Update →
York County Jail Officer Detained After Routine Immigration Appointment
The second detention took place in York County’s corrections workforce during the same January 2026 immigration enforcement operation.
Unlike the Cumberland County case, this employee was detained after reporting to an immigration appointment in Scarborough, Maine.
What Did York County Officials Say?
York County Sheriff William King and County Manager Greg Zinser released a joint statement on January 23, 2026.
They explained that the corrections officer had been invited to an immigration appointment and was detained when he arrived.
The employee was subsequently held at a facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Did the York County Officer Have a Criminal Record?
The county said its hiring procedure included:
- Employment application screening.
- Reference checks.
- Criminal background checks.
- Employment verification.
- Federal Form I-9 verification.
- Checks of governmental systems relevant to work eligibility.
Officials reported no known criminal conduct that would have caused a loss of the employee’s immigration status.
They also said the county had not received official notification that his legal status or employment eligibility had changed.
The county was reporting what its hiring process established and what officials knew at the time.
Why Were County Officials Concerned?
Sheriff King said he had not received an explanation through the channels he expected and initially learned about the detention through the officer’s family.
The county also faced significant corrections staffing shortages.
Officials described the detained officer as a valued employee whose sudden absence affected jail operations.
Was the York County Officer Released?
Yes.
On February 17, 2026, WMTW reported that Sheriff King confirmed the officer had been released from ICE custody.
The sheriff said the employee had requested to return to work, but the office was still seeking clarification about immigration status before deciding on his employment.
That report does not establish whether the employee later resumed his position or whether immigration proceedings had reached a final legal resolution.
Latest Verified Updates: What Happened After the Two ICE Detentions?
The original January headlines covered two officers, but important developments followed during February, March, April and June 2026.
Federal immigration authorities begin a concentrated enforcement operation in Maine known as Operation Catch of the Day.
ICE agents detain a Cumberland County corrections recruit in Portland. The arrest draws criticism after agents reportedly leave his vehicle running and unattended.
Sheriff Kevin Joyce publicly confirms the detention and discusses the employee’s background checks and work authorisation.
York County Sheriff William King and County Manager Greg Zinser confirm the detention of a separate corrections officer following an immigration appointment.
ICE removes roughly 50 detainees from Cumberland County Jail following the sheriff’s criticism. DHS identifies a dispute over the county’s employment of a person it considers unlawfully present.
Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey demand further information about the scope and justification of the federal enforcement operation.
Landila is granted bond. On February 17, York County officials confirm their detained corrections officer has also been released.
Researchers’ analysis of federal data shows that only a small share of people detained during Maine’s five-day ICE surge had criminal convictions recorded in that dataset.
Cumberland County confirms that Landila has returned to work and is participating in corrections training.
ICE detains another Cumberland County corrections employee. This is a separate case with disputed allegations and should not be confused with the two January detentions.
This review confirms the reported releases of both January officers. It does not establish a final disposition of every related immigration proceeding.
What Was ICE’s Operation Catch of the Day in Maine?
Operation Catch of the Day was the name used by federal immigration officials for a concentrated enforcement effort that began in Maine on January 20, 2026.
Federal officials described the operation as targeting immigration violators, particularly people with serious criminal histories.
The enhanced operation took place largely around southern Maine communities, including Portland and Lewiston.
How Many People Did ICE Arrest?
ICE initially announced 206 arrests in connection with the Maine enforcement operation.
However, federal records later obtained and analysed by the Deportation Data Project contained 190 arrests for the five-day period.
These are different reported totals. The available dataset did not fully explain the discrepancy.
How Many Detainees Had Criminal Convictions?
According to a March 2026 analysis of the available federal records:
- 11 people were listed as having criminal convictions.
- Approximately 14% had pending criminal charges.
- Approximately 80% had neither recorded criminal charges nor convictions in the dataset.
The Bangor Daily News and Maine Public reported these figures using data obtained from ICE through the Deportation Data Project.
Maine Public — March 31, 2026 Federal Data Analysis →
Bangor Daily News — Arrest Data and Methodology →
Were All ICE Detainees Without Criminal Records?
No.
The available reporting confirmed that some of the people arrested during the operation had serious criminal histories. Others had pending charges, minor past offenses, unresolved immigration proceedings or no reported criminal convictions.
The distinction matters because ICE may enforce immigration law even when a person has not been convicted of a crime.
What Did Maine’s Governor Say?
On January 30, 2026, Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey publicly demanded more information from federal immigration officials.
They questioned the extent of arrests involving individuals without known criminal histories and asked the federal government to release additional details.
The governor’s office cited the discrepancy between federal claims about enforcement priorities and reports of people with no criminal convictions being detained.
Official Maine Governor’s Office — January 30, 2026 Statement →
Why Did ICE Remove Detainees From Cumberland County Jail?
A separate dispute developed after Sheriff Kevin Joyce criticised the detention of his corrections officer.
On January 23, 2026, Maine Public reported that federal immigration authorities had transferred approximately 50 detainees out of Cumberland County Jail.
Why Was the Transfer Controversial?
The transfer took place shortly after the sheriff publicly criticised ICE’s arrest tactics.
Joyce questioned the timing and indicated he had not initially received a satisfactory explanation.
A DHS spokesperson said federal officials moved the detainees because of concerns relating to the county’s employment of an individual DHS considered unlawfully present.
Critics raised the possibility that the transfer was related to the sheriff’s public comments.
The available reporting does not establish a judicial finding that the transfer was unlawful retaliation.
Did the Transfer Affect Court Cases?
Reporting about the transfer described concerns that some detainees were moved despite federal court orders limiting transfers.
The Portland Press Herald reported that federal prosecutors acknowledged issues involving compliance with orders in certain pending detention challenges.
Such disputes concern the government’s compliance with specific judicial orders, separate from whether the original immigration arrests were authorised.
Portland Press Herald — Detainee Transfers and Court-Order Concerns →
Did the County Lose Federal Jail Revenue?
Cumberland County had a longstanding arrangement under which it housed certain federal detainees.
Reporting indicated the federal government paid the jail approximately $150 per federal detainee per day.
The removal of detainees therefore raised operational and budget questions for the county in addition to immigration enforcement concerns.
Did the Two Maine Corrections Officers Have Criminal Records?
The counties’ public statements provide the strongest available evidence concerning the officers’ prior screening.
However, there are important limitations to the phrase “no criminal record.”
Cumberland County’s Finding
Sheriff Joyce said Landila passed the county’s screening process and that the department found no disqualifying criminal history.
His account was based on the county’s recruiting and background verification process.
York County’s Finding
York County said its officer passed required criminal background checks and employment eligibility screening.
Its public statement reported no known crime that would have justified a change in the employee’s immigration status.
What Was Not Independently Established?
The public reporting did not disclose:
- Complete FBI criminal-history reports for both officers.
- Full federal immigration case files.
- Every agency record reviewed during employment screening.
- All documents used by ICE to determine immigration removability.
- A final judicial determination addressing every disputed immigration-status issue.
It would therefore be inaccurate to claim that a complete nationwide criminal-history examination was independently published and conclusively proved every possible record was absent.
What can be reported reliably is that both county employers described the employees as having passed criminal and work-eligibility screening and questioned why they were detained.
How Can Someone Have a Work Permit and Still Be Detained by ICE?
One of the central questions raised by the Maine cases is how a person who was legally authorised to work for a county government could nevertheless become subject to immigration detention.
The answer requires distinguishing several separate federal legal concepts.
| Legal concept | What it means | What it does not automatically establish |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | Evidence that a noncitizen is authorised to work in the United States during the permitted period, subject to federal rules. | Does not always establish lawful nonimmigrant status or immunity from removal proceedings. |
| Form I-9 verification | An employer verifies identity and employment authorization using legally acceptable documents. | Does not determine every question about the employee’s immigration proceedings or removability. |
| Pending asylum application | A request for protection is under consideration in the relevant immigration process. | Does not automatically mean asylum has been granted or that every aspect of immigration status is resolved. |
| Criminal conviction | A criminal court has entered a legally recognised conviction. | Not required for every civil immigration enforcement action. |
| Civil immigration detention | Federal custody in connection with immigration enforcement or removal proceedings. | Does not by itself establish a conviction for a criminal offense. |
| Immigration release on bond | Release from custody under applicable legal and procedural conditions. | Does not automatically terminate the immigration case or grant permanent status. |
Does a Work Permit Prove Lawful Immigration Status?
Not in every case.
Federal employment authorization and immigration status are legally related but not identical.
For example, certain asylum applicants may qualify for employment authorization while their applications or immigration proceedings remain pending.
Whether a person can lawfully remain in the United States, is removable or can be detained depends on additional facts and the applicable immigration law.
Can ICE Detain Someone Without a Criminal Conviction?
Yes, federal immigration law permits certain immigration arrests and detentions without a prior criminal conviction.
However, the agency must still comply with applicable statutory, constitutional and procedural requirements. The lawfulness of a particular detention can be challenged through available administrative or judicial procedures.
These legal distinctions explain why local officials’ verification of criminal history and work authorization did not necessarily answer every question ICE was examining.
Was Another Maine Corrections Officer Detained in June 2026?
Yes. The June case is a separate event and should not be merged with the two January detentions.
In June 2026, ICE detained another corrections officer employed by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Public reporting identified the employee as Bassikissa Bounguiena, who had been working at the Cumberland County Jail.
What Did the Sheriff’s Office Say?
Sheriff Kevin Joyce said the officer was a valued employee who had passed employment screening and possessed work authorization extending into 2030.
The sheriff also described the employee as having no criminal history.
What Did DHS Say?
DHS said the employee had overstayed a visa and alleged that he had a criminal history involving a domestic-violence incident.
However, Cumberland County District Attorney Jackie Sartoris stated that her office had not filed criminal charges in the incident and found no other matters involving him referred to Maine prosecutors.
An allegation or reported incident is not the same as a criminal conviction.
The publicly reported dispute concerned both the employee’s immigration position and the meaning of the alleged criminal-history information.
Maine Public — June 15, 2026 Separate Detention and Conflicting Statements →
How to Find Someone Detained by ICE in Maine
Families seeking a detained person should use official federal immigration systems rather than a county jail’s ordinary criminal inmate lookup alone.
People arrested in Maine may be transferred to detention facilities in another state.
Step 1: Open the ICE Online Detainee Locator
The official Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) helps locate qualifying adults in ICE custody and certain people held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more than 48 hours.
Step 2: Search by A-Number or Name
The system offers two principal search options:
Search by A-Number
Enter the individual’s nine-digit Alien Registration Number and country of birth.
ICE instructs users to add leading zeros if the A-Number contains fewer than nine digits.
Use the actual government-issued identifier, not a guessed number.
Search by Name
Enter the individual’s first name, last name and country of birth.
The website requires an exact name match. Some searches may also require date-of-birth information.
Use the spelling appearing on the person’s immigration records.
Step 3: Review the Listed Facility
When the search identifies a matching individual, follow the official facility information and detention guidance.
If the person has recently been detained, transferred or released, the public locator may not immediately reflect the change.
Step 4: Contact ICE’s Detention Information Line
ICE lists its Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) for enquiries involving detained individuals.
Telephone: 1-888-351-4024
Operator hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
ICE — Official Locator and Detention Contact Information →
Step 5: Check Immigration Court Proceedings
The U.S. Department of Justice operates the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) case-information system.
It provides some immigration court case details when a valid A-Number is available.
Automated hotline: 1-800-898-7180
The system may show:
- Scheduled immigration hearings.
- Court location and hearing dates.
- Some immigration judge decisions.
- Available appeal information.
It does not provide a complete immigration case file or every detail concerning bond proceedings and motions.
How to Check Maine Criminal Records and Public Court Cases
Readers researching the reported absence of criminal records should distinguish Maine’s public criminal-history checks from its court docket system and federal immigration files.
Maine State Police Criminal History Search
The Maine State Police State Bureau of Identification (SBI) maintains an official online Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request service.
This is a paid state-government background search based on identifying information.
What Does It Cost?
| Service | Published fee | Coverage or limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Maine public criminal-history name search | $31 | Available publicly releasable Maine criminal-history information. |
| Maine InforME in-state subscriber search | $21 | Eligible subscriber rate. |
| Notarized criminal-history response | $10 extra | Optional notarization in addition to the search fee. |
| Maine eCourts public Registry of Actions search | Free | Publicly available cases in participating courts; account registration required. |
| ICE Online Detainee Locator | Free | Qualifying current immigration custody information, not a criminal background check. |
| EOIR case information search | Free | Some immigration court proceedings using the person’s A-Number. |
How to Search Maine Criminal History
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1
Open the Maine State Police request service
Visit the official Maine.gov Criminal History Record Request website.
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2
Choose the request purpose
Select the appropriate public, licensing or authorised criminal justice purpose.
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3
Enter the requested identifying details
The ordinary public search uses the subject’s full name and date of birth.
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4
Pay the applicable fee
The standard public search fee is $31, regardless of whether a matching record is returned.
-
5
Review the state response
Interpret the result according to the disclosure categories and limitations explained by Maine State Police.
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6
Use fingerprint confirmation when necessary
The agency warns that name-and-birth-date searches can produce incorrect identity matches. Fingerprint comparison is needed to establish a definitive match.
Maine State Police — Criminal History Search FAQs →
Can Maine’s Public Search Prove the Officers Had No Criminal Records?
No single ordinary Maine public search proves the absence of every federal, interstate or restricted criminal record.
The State Bureau of Identification’s public service has defined disclosure limitations and does not perform a complete nationwide criminal-history search.
In the officers’ cases, their employers described criminal-history screening conducted during recruitment. The full screening files were not publicly released in the reporting reviewed.
Maine eCourts: Public Criminal Court Records in 2026
Maine’s Judicial Branch now provides electronic court searches through re:SearchMaine, with access expanding county by county.
According to the official Judicial Branch update, Cumberland County courts joined Maine eCourts on September 28, 2026.
York County’s electronic criminal case coverage became available in March 2026.
This makes re:SearchMaine relevant for reviewing publicly accessible local criminal court cases, subject to court rules.
How to Search Public Maine Court Cases
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1
Open the Maine eCourts record access guide
Use the official Maine Judicial Branch website to reach re:SearchMaine.
-
2
Register for a public account
The judiciary requires registration to use the public electronic records search.
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3
Choose the appropriate court
Identify the county and courthouse handling the criminal prosecution.
-
4
Search the available public case records
Use accepted case identifiers or party names and review the Registry of Actions.
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5
Inspect the procedural history
Look for available charges, filing events, scheduled hearings and case dispositions.
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6
Request additional documents from the court
Some public documents are available only at the courthouse. Older closed or inactive cases may also require a direct clerk request.
Are All Maine Criminal Court Records Public?
No. Access depends on the nature of the proceeding, court rules, confidentiality laws and any sealing or impoundment orders.
Maine’s court system separates records into those available remotely, those available only at a courthouse and records that are nonpublic.
Even when a case is publicly searchable, some underlying documents may remain restricted.
Immigration Detention vs. Criminal Arrest: Why the Difference Matters
The two Maine incidents are sometimes described as arrests of corrections officers without criminal records.
That is broadly consistent with the concerns expressed by county officials, but the term arrest can mean different things in criminal justice and immigration enforcement.
Criminal Arrest
A criminal arrest concerns suspected violations of criminal law. A prosecutor may later file criminal charges, and a court may eventually enter a conviction, dismissal or acquittal.
ICE Immigration Arrest
ICE may detain noncitizens pursuant to federal immigration enforcement authority.
Such detention can arise in civil immigration proceedings and does not always require a past criminal conviction or pending criminal charge.
What Does “No Criminal Record” Mean Here?
It means the relevant county employers reported no known criminal-history issue through their screening procedures.
It does not, standing alone, establish whether:
- A pending immigration application remained valid.
- The person had an unexecuted immigration removal order.
- The individual’s work authorization had changed.
- ICE possessed additional immigration records.
- The arrest met every legal requirement.
- A court later accepted or rejected the federal government’s immigration position.
Those questions require the relevant immigration documents and judicial decisions, not merely a local criminal-history lookup.
Where Families Can Find Immigration Detention Help in Maine
When someone is detained, the immediate practical questions often involve location, communication, representation and upcoming hearings.
Families should avoid relying solely on reports that the person was initially held at a Maine county jail. Transfers to another state can occur.
Official Federal Information
ICE Detainee Locator
Search qualifying adult ICE detention records by A-Number or the person’s legal name and country of birth.
Immigration Court Status
Check available hearings, case information and decisions through the Department of Justice EOIR service.
ICE Detention Information Line
1-888-351-4024
For eligible detention-related enquiries, family concerns and information about custody.
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is a Maine nonprofit providing immigration legal services and resources.
ILAP publishes information on requesting legal help for individuals detained by immigration officials.
Its services and eligibility requirements vary by case and available capacity.
Official Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Website →
What Information Should Families Keep?
- The detained person’s full legal name.
- Country of birth and date of birth, stored privately.
- A-Number, if available.
- Date and location of the detention.
- Any known ICE facility or officer contact.
- Copies of immigration notices and court documents.
- Employment authorization and identification records.
- Contact information for the person’s immigration attorney.
Keep sensitive identifiers and private immigration documents secure.
What the Maine Corrections Officer Cases Reveal About Public Records
The reported cases demonstrate the limits of using the phrase “criminal record” without specifying which records and legal process are involved.
Three separate inquiries can be necessary:
Criminal history
Was the Person Convicted?
Use the relevant state police criminal-history service or criminal court judgment.
A local hiring background check may provide useful evidence, but it is not necessarily a complete nationwide record.
Immigration enforcement
Why Did ICE Detain Them?
Review the relevant DHS allegations, detention documents, immigration notices and court proceedings.
A criminal-history search alone cannot answer this question.
Current case outcome
Were They Released?
Use verified reporting, court records, official statements and available custody systems.
Release from detention does not necessarily establish that every immigration proceeding has concluded.
Why Did These Cases Receive So Much Attention?
The cases involved employees hired to help operate county correctional facilities.
Both counties said they had checked the employees’ backgrounds and eligibility before placing them in corrections jobs.
That created a public controversy when immigration agents later detained the workers and county officials said they did not understand why.
The incidents also brought attention to the relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local correctional agencies, including facilities that were simultaneously employing immigrant workers and housing federal detainees.
What Remains Uncertain?
Publicly available reporting does not establish all of the underlying immigration facts, the complete set of federal enforcement documents or a final immigration decision in each officer’s case.
For that reason, this article distinguishes the statements of sheriffs, DHS’s reported explanations, court-related reporting and independently available public information rather than presenting disputed positions as settled judicial findings.
ICE Detained Two Maine Corrections Officers Without Criminal Records: FAQs
1. Did ICE really detain two Maine corrections officers without criminal records?
Yes. In January 2026, ICE detained a Cumberland County corrections recruit and a separate York County Jail officer. Their county employers said both had passed criminal background checks and employment verification, and officials questioned the basis for their detention. The complete federal criminal-history files were not publicly released.
2. Who were the two Maine corrections officers detained by ICE?
The Cumberland County officer was later publicly identified as Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila. York County initially declined to publicly identify its detained employee. The two officers worked for separate county jail systems and were detained under different circumstances.
3. Why did ICE arrest the Cumberland County corrections officer?
DHS said the officer had crossed the southern U.S. border unlawfully in 2019. Sheriff Kevin Joyce said the employee had no known criminal record and possessed federal work authorization extending into 2029. Those statements concern different legal questions, and the public reporting did not establish every underlying immigration determination.
4. Why was the York County corrections officer detained?
The officer was detained after appearing for an immigration appointment in Scarborough. York County officials said they had verified his employment eligibility and did not know whether his immigration status had changed. They were not provided a clear public explanation at the time.
5. Were the two Maine corrections officers released by ICE?
Yes. Landila was granted bond in February and had returned to work by April 2026. York County Sheriff William King confirmed on February 17 that his employee had been released from ICE custody. The public reports did not establish final resolution of every immigration proceeding.
6. Can ICE detain someone who has never committed a crime?
Yes, certain immigration arrests and detentions occur under civil immigration law and do not require a prior criminal conviction. The government must still follow applicable legal procedures, and a detained person may have grounds to challenge the custody decision.
7. Did the Maine officers have valid work permits?
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said Landila held work authorization valid through April 2029. York County officials said their employee passed federal I-9 verification and other work-eligibility checks during hiring. Work authorization does not automatically settle every question about immigration status or removability.
8. How many people arrested during Operation Catch of the Day had criminal convictions?
Federal data analysed in March 2026 identified 190 arrests during the five-day operation, with 11 individuals recorded as having criminal convictions. About 14% had pending criminal charges, and approximately 80% had neither recorded charges nor convictions. ICE originally announced a higher arrest total of 206.
9. How can I find someone detained by ICE in Maine?
Use the official ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov/odls with the person’s A-Number and country of birth or exact name and country of birth. You can also call ICE’s Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024. Immigration court information is available through the DOJ EOIR case-status system.
10. How can I check criminal records in Maine?
Maine State Police provides an official criminal-history request service, with a standard public search fee of $31. Maine Judicial Branch also provides free public electronic court-case searches through re:SearchMaine for participating courts. These services do not replace federal immigration records or a complete nationwide fingerprint-based criminal-history review.
Sources: Maine Corrections Officer ICE Detentions and Official Public Records
The reporting and government records below support the timeline, criminal-history distinctions and official search procedures discussed in this article.
January 2026 Detentions and County Officials’ Statements
- Maine Public — January 22: Cumberland County Sheriff Responds to ICE Detention
- Spectrum News — January 22: Background Checks and Work Authorization
- Saco Bay News — January 23: Full York County Sheriff and County Manager Statement
- Maine Public — January 23: York County Corrections Officer Detained at Immigration Appointment
- Portland Press Herald — York County Detention and Hiring Verification
Release, Employment and Follow-Up Reports
- WMTW — February 17, 2026: York Officer Released From ICE Custody
- Portland Press Herald — April 24, 2026: Landila Returns to Work
- Maine Public — June 15, 2026: Separate Cumberland County Officer Detained
- Portland Press Herald — June 2026 Immigration Allegations and County Response
ICE Operation and Government Accountability
- Maine Public — January 23: ICE Removes Detainees From Cumberland County Jail
- Portland Press Herald — Jail Contract and Transfer Disputes
- Maine Governor’s Office — January 30, 2026 Official Request for Arrest Information
- Maine Public — March 31: Federal Data Shows Approximately 6% Had Criminal Convictions
- Bangor Daily News — Federal ICE Detention Data Analysis
Official ICE and Immigration Court Resources
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — Online Detainee Locator System
- U.S. Department of Justice — Immigration Court Case Status
- DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review — Notice to Appear
- DOJ — Immigration Legal Representation and Pro Bono Resources
- Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project — Maine Legal Help and Detention Assistance
Official Maine Criminal Records
- Maine State Police — Official Criminal History Record Request
- Maine Criminal History Search — Fees, Coverage and Identity-Matching FAQs
- Maine State Police — State Bureau of Identification
- Maine Judicial Branch — Electronic Criminal Court Record Access
- Maine eCourts — Participating Courts and Online Search Availability