Officials say the illegal immigrant who was arrested for allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm gave a Massachusetts driver’s license to the Maine police department where he has been employed.
The hiring of Jamaican native Jon-Luke Evans has put the resort town of Old Orchard Beach, which has fewer than 9,000 residents, in conflict with the Department of Homeland Security.
After Evans sought to be a seasonal reserve officer in early April, town officials claim they created a 153-page personnel dossier on him that included background check reports and other information.
According to reports, Evans submitted his application to the town’s human resources department with a Massachusetts driver’s license, a Jamaican passport and birth certificate, U.S. work permission and Social Security cards, and evidence of college credit.
According to Police Chief Elise Chard, the Old Orchard Beach Police Department conducted a full background investigation on Mr. Evans and confirmed the accuracy of all the material and supporting paperwork he submitted. His extensive employment file demonstrates the care with which the Town hires.
In Biddeford, five miles from Old Orchard Beach, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Evans last week after he allegedly acknowledged attempting to purchase the firearm for his job as a police officer.
ICE’s Boston field office said Monday that agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were alerted to his effort to acquire the rifle.
Patricia Hyde, acting field office director for ICE ERO Boston, stated in a statement that Jon Luke Evans had not only violated U.S. immigration law but also unlawfully sought to purchase a firearm. Evans worked as a local law enforcement officer, which is shocking. If it weren’t so tragic, it would be hilarious for a police agency to recruit an illegal alien and illegally give him a pistol while he was on duty.
According to ICE, Evans overstayed his visa after entering the country on September 24, 2023, at Miami International Airport, in violation of the conditions of his lawful entrance.
On October 1, 2023, Evans was supposed to leave the United States, but he never got on the plane.
During Evans’ application, the Town of Old Orchard Beach claims to have adhered to its established recruiting norms and procedures and confirmed the authenticity of all the evidence Evans submitted.
Maine is one of over a dozen states in the United States that permit noncitizens to serve in law enforcement, town officials are pointing out.
Chief Chard indicated in her statement that the Town would not have employed Mr. Evans if the federal government had raised concerns about his information. Any suggestion that the Department and the Town failed to follow through on our efforts to confirm Mr. Evans’ eligibility to work for the Town is untrue and seems to be an attempt to place the blame on a diligent local law enforcement organization that has fulfilled its obligations.
The Department of Homeland Security and town authorities are at odds over E-Verify, a digital application that lets firms verify their workers’ ability to work in the nation.
Police Chief Chard reported on Monday that the municipality used E-Verify to send Evans’ I-9 form to DHS, and the federal government approved it on May 12.
Following the completion of the application and training requirements, Evans was sworn into the department earlier this summer.
DHS said in a statement earlier Wednesday that the Old Orchard Beach Police Department’s careless use of E-Verify to defend arming Jon Luke Evans, an illegal alien, is prohibited under federal law and does not excuse them from performing basic background checks to confirm legal status.
It further stated that it is not just the law but also good sense for no illegal alien to ever be given a firearm or be employed by law enforcement.
In response, town manager Diana Asanza said Wednesday night that the federal pronouncements erode public faith in local law enforcement.
She claimed that the Department of Homeland Security intensified its assault today, but in the process, it called into doubt its own computerized verification system. What good is the government computer system that checks paperwork and employment eligibility if we can’t trust its word?
