Senator Collins’ Latest Statement on Biddeford Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding yesterday's shooting in Biddeford:

"I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops in the wake of yesterday's deadly Biddeford shooting. I am encouraged that the Department has agreed to do so.

"An impartial investigation into the shooting in Biddeford needs to proceed, as the details surrounding this tragedy are important. It is extremely unfortunate that the agent involved did not have a body-worn camera. In April, measures that I authored in the Homeland Security funding bill became law, including $20 million for expanded use of body-worn cameras, $2 million for de-escalation training, and a 17% increase in the independent Office of Inspector General's budget to investigate matters such as this shooting. The Democratic government shutdown delayed enactment and implementation of these important safety measures.

"While it is clear ICE needs to improve its performance, it is important to remember that the work ICE does to protect our country goes far beyond immigration enforcement. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is tasked with combating cartels, human smuggling, child exploitation, forced labor, and more. Eliminating ICE would make our country less safe and endanger the lives and welfare of countless individuals."

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