Things got highkey heated on the debate stage Tuesday night between Sen. Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson. The central conflict? The role of ICE and the tragic death of 25-year-old Sebastián Durán Guerrero.
Guerrero, a Colombian national, was shot and killed by ICE agents in Biddeford back in July during a vehicle stop. Jackson didn't hold back, accusing Collins of being complicit in the incident. "Look, Senator Collins paid for the bullets and at Donald Trump's command," Jackson said. He pointed to Collins' support for the Secure America Act—a bill providing billions in funding for immigration enforcement—arguing that she’s fueling a "rogue agency" that needs to be abolished.
The divide on ICE
Jackson is taking a hardline stance, stating the agency isn't legitimate law enforcement and should be replaced. His views align with the Democratic Socialists of America, who have been vocal about calling the agency illegitimate.
Collins, however, pushed back on the idea that the agency should be scrapped. She argued that while the agency has issues—specifically citing a lack of vetting and training for some officers—it performs essential work like fighting human trafficking and shutting down child exploitation rings. To back her record, she pointed to her work securing body-worn cameras for agents and boosting the budget for the independent Office of Inspector General.
What this means for you
With the Nov. 3 election approaching, this debate highlights the major vibe shift between the two candidates on border security and federal oversight. For voters in Maine, it’s a choice between Jackson’s vision of systemic reform and total agency overhaul, or Collins’ strategy of pushing for specific legislative guardrails while keeping the agency operational. Real talk: this issue isn't going away before voters head to the polls.
