LEWISTON, Maine — A downtown Lewiston shop has closed early every day since the city’s mayor released a statement last week saying he expected heavy immigration enforcement.
Sunday was “eerily quiet” in the immigrant-dominated downtown of Maine’s second-largest city, and sales have been down by 30% compared with this time last year, said the business owner, who spoke on the condition that they and their business not be named.
It was another sign that the city’s immigrant community, including hundreds of Somalis, was reacting strongly to the plans. The largest immigration enforcement and removal operation in Maine during President Donald Trump’s second term is expected to be centered on Lewiston and Portland, a law enforcement source told the Bangor Daily News last week.
Some people have reportedly left the city. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection unit overseeing Maine placed rush orders for cold weather gear, mirroring similar moves ahead of crackdowns in Minnesota. Maine’s U.S. attorney issued a Monday statement warning against protests that endanger or impede law enforcement.
Maine’s Somali community is centered in Lewiston and Portland since the early 2000s and has grown in power in recent years. Most Somalis were born in the U.S. or have become citizens. But President Donald Trump’s administration has launched an investigation into refugee cases in Minnesota that has led to several arrests in the Somali community there.
Few people walked downtown on Monday, which was a federal holiday and a day after a snowstorm. There were signs throughout town that warned that ICE is coming and gave a hotline to call to report activity.
One sign on an African food market provided tips for what to do if someone worries they are at risk for immigration enforcement. It said to have a plan in case the person is detained, as well as warned people to not apply for immigration status change or a green card renewal. An employee in the store declined to do an interview.
There is fear in the community, a Baraka Store employee who identified herself as Alice said. The store, which sells food and clothing, has been quiet. An employee at another store said the streets are quieter than normal, while a third said that he has noticed what seems to be fewer people coming and going from the mosque on Lisbon Street.
“Fear is definitely palpable on the street right now and I understand that,” Mayor Carl Sheline said Monday. “What we need to do now is to find ways to support each other, and that work is ongoing and happening in a variety of ways. Lewiston is a community that cares about each other and we will stand strong together.”
There were “No ICE for Maine” signs scattered around the city on Monday. Another sign told people to stay non-violent but not to stay silent. The statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson, who was appointed by Trump, looked ahead to protests in the coming days to say assembly is protected but violence or impeding law enforcement is not.
Parking spots in downtown have been empty on Lisbon Street in downtown, a very rare sight, said real estate agent Shivam Kumar, who was showing a commercial property near the intersection with Main Street. He said he hopes the community comes together and helps rally behind a downtown that has seen high business turnover.
“Lisbon Street’s still here,” the first business owner said. “It’s still open for business.”
