Hello UMPSA Members,
Today, I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the recent ICE enforcement operation, “Catch of the Day,” and the significant distress it has caused our employees across the University of Maine System.
The timing of this operation was particularly jarring for me. When the news broke of Alex Pretti’s tragic death in Minnesota, I was in St. Louis attending the NEA’s Minorities and Women in Leadership Conference. I spent those days in sessions focused on ensuring our unions provide true representation and safety—an endeavor that felt painfully ironic as news of the fear unfolding in Minnesota and back home in Maine.
While the legalities of federal enforcement are often cited as complex, the human cost on our campus is simple and undeniable. This operation fostered a pervasive climate of anxiety that directly undermines our mission as an institution of higher learning. Many of our BIPOC colleagues and students no longer felt secure enough to leave their homes. In addition, the operation created a profound secondary trauma for those who had to witness folks being targeted solely based on the color of their skin.
The psychological weight of these events and public deaths led to a palpable decline in attendance and productivity, as it is incredibly difficult to focus on academic excellence when members of our community are worried about their basic security. Furthermore, operations of this nature risk fracturing the trust between the government and the diverse populations we serve, threatening the open and inclusive environment that a university requires to thrive.
In UMPSA, we believe it is vital for the University to clearly communicate and provide flexibility in protecting the privacy and safety of all its members within the bounds of the law. Our employees deserve to work in an environment free from the threat of ICE. ACSUM, AFUM, UMPSA, and Graduate Workers met with HR on January 29, 2026. We will continue to meet and discuss the University’s plans (with specific requests) not only to support those impacted, but also to identify the steps to reaffirm the commitment to a safe campus for everyone.
-Sara
Sara Abronze, UMPSA Statewide President