Lewiston has always been an immigrant hub. The former mill city was first populated by Quebecois migrants seeking work, and more recently by Somali and African diaspora. Lewiston is home to around 3,000 Somali residents and immigrants of all nationalities make up 11.5% of the city’s population.This past January, Maine’s second-largest city was targeted in a statewide surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ominously dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day,” in which over 200 people were abducted. According to Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), ICE’s “enhanced activities” in Maine had ceased by the end of the month.The aftermath of the acute phase of the ICE surge, however, has left Lewiston’s downtown a shell of its former self. Gripped with fear, some immigrants and non-immigrants alike have fled town or hunkered down at home, venturing out only for urgent needs. The city’s historic, walkable downtown has yet to recover its former foot traffic, presenting a serious challenge for small businesses which depend on community support. In the wake of this destruction, solidarity bloomed. Local businesses have collaborated with immigrant groups and non-profits to help a community reeling from the impact of the raids.Note: No Lewiston immigrants contacted were comfortable providing on-the-record comment to The Beacon, citing fear of retaliation from ICE. The full impact of ICE’s presence on Lewiston’s small business community cannot be fully assessed without their voices.How the Surge Impacted Lives and LivelihoodsCourtney Schlachter has run a small, secondhand book and art store on Lisbon Street for ten years. The Quiet City Books owner described the devastation she saw when ICE came to town, recounting how a neighboring non-profit elected to close their office during the surge, as the organization was both operated by immigrants and provided services utilized by many immigrants in the area. The risk associated with continuing in-person work was too high.This was a common response given the circumstances, but shops like Schlacter’s were indirectly affected by ICE’s operations.“There was very little foot traffic and activity in general here — downtown — after ICE arrived in Lewiston, which did affect small businesses, whether they were Somali-owned or not.”Downtown Lisbon Street, in Lewiston, was almost empty in late February (Chris Brady for The Beacon).The Lewiston native estimates that foot traffic dropped by 50% during the surge. “This larger community concern — where people were not feeling comfortable in a city where there’s ICE presence — has definitely impacted my income, my sales.” While Schlachter is not worried about covering her commercial rent, how much money will remain at the end of the month is still uncertain.Schlachter added anecdotal context to the fear gripping the city, offering a story from an immigrant friend, who was likely stalked by a federal agent. The friend’s grocery order was delivered in a large pickup truck, and the driver walked around her property, peering in through windows. Schlachter alleges that “two other vehicles arrived and were waiting for someone to come and take the groceries from the front step.” Schlachter adds, “my friend saw an arm come out from the low part of the door as though someone was on their hands and knees trying to stay hidden in case she brought her groceries into her home.”Down the street, Sheri Withers operates Ellard Studios. Following the 2024 election, Withers felt that she needed to evolve her art and gift gallery to meet the political moment, “I changed it to more of a third space and a community hub — where people can come together and use the space for what they think [would best suit their needs].” The event space offers classes taught by Withers and local artists, as well as programming for LGBTQ+ youth, among other uses.The business owner of thirteen years described how residents across Lewiston were nervous to leave their homes during the surge, regardless of their immigration status. ICE has consistently shown disregard for citizenship status, detaining American citizens despite their lack of jurisdiction. Infamously, ICE agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis during “Operation Metro Surge.”Nearly a month later, business still has not bounced back for Withers. But the people venturing out are the ones who seem to need connection the most.Sheri Withers working at Ellard Studios (Chris Brady for The Beacon).“I’ve found that the people that are coming out are the people who want to be coming out. The people that need community, want community, want to be involved.”Small Businesses Lead a ResistanceFor Jenna Guiggey, owner and sole employee of Blue Jay Coffee on Main Street, silently watching ICE’s infiltration into the city was never an option. When she saw an ICE vehicle idling in front of an immigrant-owned business downtown, she took a photo of the license plate and reported it to the ICE hotline. The vehicle sped away, and Guiggey followed from a safe distance.As the car began heading toward her home in a neighboring town, Guiggey realized the agents had run her license plate number to identify her address. “When I got closer to my house, I was pulled over by two vehicles that blocked me in. They exited, armed [and] with their faces covered and sunglasses on. They were trying to get me to get out of the car.”The agents threatened to arrest her if she followed them again. “He kept telling me ‘I know where you live. I know this is your house.’” Guiggey forwarded her recording of the threats to law enforcement, which readers of The Beacon can view here. Guiggey is White and a U.S. citizen.With the threat of ICE abduction keeping many immigrants indoors, the broader community organized. Guiggey says her customers kept her informed as a rapid-response network took shape: volunteers delivered food and groceries, offered rides to and from work and school, and ran errands for those sheltering at home. “There’s just a bunch of group chats that got created pretty rapidly within the first couple days.” Much of the logistics for the rapid response was planned at Ellard Studios — Sheri Withers’ business.Meanwhile, at Quiet City Books, Schlachter organized a letter-writing drive addressed to Representative Jared Golden (D-ME 2), who has a district office located down the street. Golden had publicly voiced support for the ICE surge and was one of seven House Democrats to vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security.“I’ve heard that physical mail, because it’s not just digital and deletable immediately, letters and postcards and things like that, are a little more effective. And, if nothing else, I hope it’s just an inconvenience, that they can see as the physical manifestation of how we feel.”Although the surge has left scars in Lewiston, local businesses that form its fabric provide a blueprint for how community coalitions can form, organize, and protect their neighbors.“Without our immigrant community, there would be almost no businesses open in downtown,” Guiggey adds. “So we’re grateful to have them as neighbors.”Some quotes have been edited for length and clarity.Ice melting in the Androscoggin River (Credit: Jean-Luc Theriault).Chris Brady is a Contributor to The New England Beacon. To contact him with tips and information, please email here. To support our mission, please click here.No posts