Sen. Ed Markey inspected an ICE facility in Scarborough, Maine, without advance notice after calling for greater oversight of the agency following the fatal shooting of Joan Guerrero by a federal officer. During the visit, he renewed his calls to abolish ICE, sparking strong reactions online.
Markey posted footage from Scarborough before the inspection. He later reported from Biddeford that officials admitted him.
Markey said federal law allowed members of Congress to inspect ICE facilities without advance notice. He said unannounced visits allowed lawmakers to examine conditions before officers could prepare.
The footage shows Markey outside the facility before the inspection. He later said ICE confirmed the officer who shot Guerrero worked at the Scarborough site.
According to Markey, officials acknowledged the officer involved worked at the Scarborough facility and told him the site did not use body cameras or conduct training.
Ed Markey’s Maine ICE Visit Draws Criticism Over Abolition Call
Public discussion focused on Markey’s motives and his presence in Maine. Others questioned his previous record on ICE oversight.
One response dismissed his criticism outright: “The manufactured outrage is tired and weak.” Another challenged his presence in Maine: “WHY ARE YOU IN MY STATE? YOU CANT TAKE CARE OF YOURS!”
One user questioned his actions during the Biden administration: “Why didn’t you visit ICE detention centers during the Biden administration? Why didn’t you try to abolish them then? Oh wait, it is all a political ploy.”
A separate response rejected abolishing the agency: “Fix it, don’t abolish it. Do you abolish the army because some soldiers commit crimes?”
Markey’s visit now shifts attention to what comes next. He has not said whether he will introduce legislation to abolish ICE. He also has not detailed how he plans to end qualified immunity.
