Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson accused Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine of facilitating the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by voting to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), during their third televised debate on Tuesday evening. Jackson characterized ICE as a "rogue agency" operating under President Donald Trump's command, arguing that Collins' support for the Secure America Act, which extended $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement through the end of Trump’s term, made her complicit in the July 13 shooting in Biddeford, Maine. The exchange highlighted deepening partisan divides over immigration enforcement ahead of the November 3 general election.
What the Left Is Saying
Troy Jackson argued that Collins’ legislative actions directly contributed to the conditions leading to Guerrero’s death. "Senator Collins paid for the bullets and at Donald Trump's command. Now she wants credit for not pulling the trigger," Jackson said during the debate. He contended that Collins’ occasional breaks with the GOP majority have not meaningfully restrained the administration’s enforcement policies. Jackson stated, "That's the choice on this stage. A senator who helps Donald Trump hurt Maine then tells us how concerned she is, or somebody who will stand up against him before another family in Maine has to pay the price."
Jackson aligned himself with progressive groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has backed his campaign and described ICE as "a violent and illegitimate agency." In a previous debate, Jackson stated that ICE "is not legitimate law enforcement." He argued that the agency is beyond reform and proposed abolishing it, redirecting the $70 billion in funding to existing law enforcement agencies that he believes command more public trust. Jackson described the agency as "just a rogue agency that's doing Donald Trump's bidding."
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Susan Collins rejected the characterization of her record as enabling violence, emphasizing her role in implementing safeguards within the agency. Collins stated that she had contacted the Secretary of Homeland Security and the acting director following the Biddeford shooting to prioritize the distribution of body-worn cameras to ICE agents in Maine and nationwide, a measure she noted was subsequently adopted. "After the Biddeford shooting, I called the Secretary of Homeland Security, [and] met with the acting director and suggested that they prioritize Maine for receipt of these body-worn cameras. And they did," Collins said.
Collins defended the necessity of ICE, citing its work in combating child trafficking, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and financial scams. She pointed to a recent case in Maine where the agency helped shut down a child pornography ring. "I don't think any of us wants to go back to the days of completely open, uncontrolled borders. That is dangerous for us," Collins argued. While acknowledging flaws in the hiring and training of some agents, she maintained that the agency should be reformed rather than abolished, stating, "I think what happened is far too many ICE officers were hired and deployed without adequate vetting and training. But let us not forget the important work that ICE does, which is why it should be reformed and not abolished, as Troy has said."
What the Numbers Show
The debate centered on the Secure America Act, a party-line bill that extended provisions and funding for ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies through the end of President Trump’s term. The legislation included approximately $70 billion in funding for these agencies. Collins noted that she voted to increase the budget for the independent Office of Inspector General by 17%, a move intended to enhance oversight of federal agencies including ICE. The incident in question occurred on July 13, when Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national, was fatally shot in Biddeford. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Guerrero was not the target of the operation but attempted to flee in a vehicle during an enforcement action against another individual with a final order of removal.
The Bottom Line
The clash over ICE funding and the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero has become a central issue in the Maine Senate race, illustrating the broader national debate over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Collins and Jackson are scheduled to face each other in the general election on November 3. The outcome may hinge on whether Maine voters view Collins’ legislative safeguards and oversight measures as sufficient reform, or whether they align with Jackson’s argument that the agency requires abolition. The debate underscores the difficulty of balancing enforcement mandates with accountability for incidents involving use of force by federal agents.