Armed protesters have set up a near-daily presence outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Scarborough, Maine, with at least one open-carrying demonstrator telling the Portland Press Herald that “If they want to start a firefight, I will return fire.”
The agency has already had to increase security after six vandalism incidents in three months.
Video and photos from the scene show individuals in tactical gear and fatigues marked “NOT A COP” standing with long guns and “Abolish ICE” banners near the building.
The Portland Press Herald spoke to protesters and reports:
A protester who goes by K and asked not to be fully identified out of fear for her safety, has been openly carrying a camo AR-15 outside of the Scarborough ICE facility for weeks, ever since she heard a fellow protester say they were intimidated by agents in a nearby parking lot. A longtime gun owner, she had been carrying a concealed firearm while keeping a daily watch for months. Her belt has a hatchet, additional magazines, a medical kit and a racoon tail.
“If they want to start a fire fight, I will return fire,” she said. Her hands rested on the handle of her weapon. “This is a civil war.”
Here's our interview with the armed anti-ICE protesters in Scarborough:
JON: "So you guys are out here seven days a week?"
PROTESTER: "Of course. 12 hours a day at least" pic.twitter.com/1AXcfBPcGB
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) November 10, 2026