Updated
Updated · WGME · Jul 14
Nirav Shah Blames Collins for $70 Billion ICE Funding After Deadly Biddeford Shooting
Updated
Updated · WGME · Jul 14

Nirav Shah Blames Collins for $70 Billion ICE Funding After Deadly Biddeford Shooting

3 articles · Updated · WGME · Jul 14

Summary

  • Dr. Nirav Shah said the deadly Biddeford ICE shooting was preventable and tied it to Sen. Susan Collins’ support for ICE funding without stronger oversight or reform.
  • Shah said Collins backed ICE funding three times as Senate Appropriations chair, including a $70 billion ICE and Border Patrol measure approved last month through the end of the Trump administration.
  • He argued stricter protocols such as body cameras, warrant changes and revised stop procedures could have reduced the risk; officials said the ICE officers involved were not wearing body cameras.
  • Collins’ office accused Shah of politicizing the shooting and pointed to protections enacted in April, including $20 million for body-worn cameras, $2 million for de-escalation training and a 17% increase in the inspector general budget.

Insights

With two non-targets killed in a week, what systemic failures are causing these repeated ICE tragedies during enforcement actions?
Why were body cameras not used in a fatal shooting despite a $20 million congressional allocation for them this year?
Can an agency effectively combat human trafficking while its immigration enforcement methods are under fire for civilian deaths?