The adopted son of Maine state Sen. Denise Tepler was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for two days after a traffic stop in Colebrook, New Hampshire, while he was traveling to Canada, Tepler said.
The 28-year-old man, who is originally from Burundi, had been seeking asylum in the United States for years, according to Tepler. She said he obtained Canadian citizenship this year and was traveling to Canada to live there when local police turned him over to ICE.
An ICE spokesperson said the man had overstayed a visa. Tepler said his asylum case had remained pending and that his work permit was not renewed, prompting him to pursue Canadian citizenship. With assistance from the Canadian consulate and the office of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, he was released and reached Canada on Friday.
The local-federal agreement
The Colebrook Police Department has a 287(g) agreement with ICE, a federal program that allows participating local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration-enforcement duties under federal supervision. The arrangement was central to the traffic stop’s aftermath, as local officers transferred the man to federal immigration custody.
Tepler questioned whether local police departments have enough training to enforce federal immigration laws. Maine enacted a law over the summer that prohibits local law enforcement agencies in that state from entering the type of agreement used by Colebrook, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.
“I could barely breathe for two days, basically, I was so anxious and worried about him.”
— Maine state Sen. Denise Tepler
Tepler also said she was concerned that her son could be moved to another detention center and held longer. She criticized the use of local police in immigration enforcement, saying the agencies are not adequately trained in federal immigration policies and procedures.
- ICE said the man had overstayed a visa.
- Tepler said he had a pending asylum application and had received Canadian citizenship.
- He was detained for two days before being released and traveling to Canada.
The episode comes as federal immigration enforcement continues to involve local law enforcement agencies through agreements such as 287(g). The Colebrook department’s participation gives its officers authority connected to federal immigration enforcement, while ICE retains responsibility for immigration custody and proceedings.
Tepler said the family received help from the Canadian consulate and Pingree’s office during the detention. She said her son ultimately continued his trip to Canada after his release.
