Cumberland County Seeks $1.3M from DHS After ICE Detainee Removal

County officials claim the Department of Homeland Security owes for jail services after ICE pulled detainees.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Cumberland County officials in Maine are seeking $1.3 million from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for jail services provided over the past five months, after ICE removed its detainees from the county jail. The county says it had counted on the DHS money as part of its revenue stream, but the removal of detainees has left a financial shortfall.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the financial impact on local governments when federal immigration enforcement actions disrupt longstanding contracts and revenue streams. It also raises questions about the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

The details

According to the county manager, DHS owes Cumberland County $1.3 million for jail services provided over the past five months. This money was part of the county's expected revenue, but the removal of ICE detainees from the jail has created a financial shortfall. The county had a longstanding contract with DHS, but ICE removed the detainees just hours after the county sheriff condemned ICE's actions in Maine. DHS then demanded the full names of every employee at the jail, which the sheriff provided.

  • The county says the $1.3 million is owed for services provided over the past five months.
  • ICE removed its detainees from the jail just hours after the county sheriff condemned ICE's actions in Maine.

The players

Cumberland County

A county in the state of Maine that operates a jail and had a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to house ICE detainees.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including ICE, and had a contract with Cumberland County to house detainees at the county jail.

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement that removed detainees from the Cumberland County jail.

Sheriff Joyce

The Cumberland County sheriff who condemned ICE's actions in Maine, leading to the removal of detainees from the county jail.

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What they’re saying

“Despite a longstanding contract, ICE removed its detainees from the jail hours after Sheriff Joyce condemned ICE for its actions in Maine, in which he called leaving a detainee's car running 'Bush League' policing.”

— WGME Staff

What’s next

The county is seeking the $1.3 million owed by DHS for the jail services provided, which was part of the county's expected revenue stream.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the financial challenges faced by local governments when federal immigration enforcement actions disrupt longstanding contracts and revenue sources. It also underscores the tensions that can arise between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.