Maine farms, construction sites reported ICE raids planned

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) has cautioned farmers across Maine about potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting farms, farmworkers, and construction sites, with some notices suggesting activity could begin as soon as Friday and extend through the weekend. MOFGA also reports that ICE has been seen using drones to monitor job sites, prompting guidance that indoor areas be designated as private and that workers should be moved indoors if a drone is spotted. Immigrant rights groups say raids could come during a peak harvest period and emphasize that farms and construction sites have legal protections requiring warrants for entry, while urging farm owners to prepare and stay informed. The warnings come in the context of a broader pattern of increased ICE activity nationwide, including raids on agricultural and food-production sites, and MOFGA says it is monitoring developments closely. Several MOFGA updates note that dates are not confirmed and encourage workers and farmers to maintain heightened awareness and to document and report any ICE actions safely.