ICE Shooting in Maine: What Immigrants Need to Know
What if ICE agents approach you on the street or try to stop your car — do you know what your rights are right now? On the morning of July 13, 2026, a person was killed in a shooting involving ICE agents in Biddeford, Maine, a city of about 21,000 people roughly 15 miles south of Portland. It is the 10th fatal shooting by federal immigration officials since the second Trump administration took office in early 2025.
What happened in Biddeford
At approximately 7:20 a.m. on July 13, 2026, ICE agents were at an intersection in Biddeford when a shooting occurred. Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau confirmed on his personal Facebook page: "A person was killed. ICE was involved." State Police, the Department of Public Safety, and FBI officials responded to the scene. Eyewitness Lucas Scott told the Biddeford Gazette he saw at least two officers in green ICE vests gathered around a white sedan stopped at an intersection. He said agents were yelling "very loudly" and that he heard at least four gunshots. Crowds gathered in protest shortly after the incident.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately comment. Biddeford police referred all questions to ICE. The shooting comes six days after ICE agents in Houston fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop. In that case, a DHS spokesperson confirmed Salgado was not the intended target — agents stopped his van because someone inside "resembled the target." Witnesses denied that Salgado ever used his vehicle as a weapon, despite ICE's claim that the shooting was justified self-defense.
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The pattern is drawing national attention. The Guardian's review of public reports shows that among the 10 fatal shootings by federal immigration officials since early 2025, two victims — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were US citizens, killed by immigration agents in Minneapolis in separate incidents in January. Each case has triggered protests. Former Maine state senator Troy Jackson said on X that immigrant communities are "under attack by ICE." Biddeford mayor Liam Fountain had said in January that immigration enforcement in the city was "deeply unsettling."
What to do if ICE approaches you
- Stay calm and do not run. You have the right to remain silent. Tell agents clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent." Do not answer questions about your immigration status without a lawyer present.
- Do not open your door without a warrant. If agents come to your home, ask them to slide a signed judicial warrant (signed by a judge, not just an ICE officer) under the door. An administrative ICE warrant alone does not give agents the right to enter your home.
- Do not resist physically. Even if you believe the stop is unlawful, physical resistance can lead to criminal charges. Lawyers recommend complying physically while verbally asserting your rights.
- Call an immigration lawyer immediately. If you are detained, you have the right to call an attorney. Keep a lawyer's phone number written on your body or memorized — not just saved in a phone that agents may take.
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In any ICE encounter, your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent apply regardless of your immigration status. If agents stop your vehicle or approach you on the street, you are not required to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country. If you are detained, demand to speak with an attorney before any interview — statements made without counsel can be used against you in immigration court. Given the current enforcement climate, anyone in removal proceedings or with a pending case should consult an immigration attorney now to review their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE stop my car and detain me without a warrant?
ICE agents can stop a vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion of a violation. However, they cannot search your car or detain you for an extended time without more legal justification. You have the right to remain silent and to ask if you are free to go. Do not physically resist, but do assert your rights verbally.
What happens if ICE detains me — will I be deported right away?
Not necessarily. After detention, you usually have the right to a bond hearing (a court hearing where a judge decides if you can be released while your case continues). You also have the right to appear before an immigration judge before a final removal order is issued. An immigration lawyer can help you request a bond hearing and build your defense.
I am undocumented. Do I still have rights if ICE approaches me?
Yes. The US Constitution protects everyone on US soil, regardless of immigration status. You have the right to remain silent, the right to refuse entry to your home without a judicial warrant, and the right to speak with an attorney if detained. These rights do not disappear because of your immigration status.
What should I do if I witness an ICE arrest or shooting in my neighborhood?
You can document what you see safely from a distance — video and witness accounts matter. Do not interfere physically with agents. You can report what you witnessed to local legal aid organizations or immigrant rights groups, who may be gathering information for legal challenges or oversight complaints.