A Jamaican national who overstayed his visa and later worked as a reserve police officer in Maine has agreed to voluntarily leave the United States, according to a report by WMTW-TV.
On Monday, a judge granted Jon Luke Evans permission for voluntary departure. He must pay for his own travel and leave the U.S. within a specified time. As part of the agreement, Evans acknowledged his unlawful presence in the country, waived any future applications for legal status, and had to prove both intent and financial ability to leave.
Evans was initially held at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts, before being transferred to the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
He originally entered the U.S. legally via Miami International Airport in September 2023 on a one-week visa, but failed to leave by his scheduled departure date of October 1, 2023. Despite this, he later joined the Old Orchard Beach Police Department in Maine as a seasonal reserve officer in May 2024.
As part of the hiring process, Evans underwent standard background checks, physical exams, and law enforcement training. His employment paperwork was submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for verification.
According to the police department, DHS indicated that Evans had a valid work permit set to expire in March 2030. Police Chief Elise Chard expressed frustration over what she called a failure in the federal government’s E-Verify system.
“Our department and our community relied on the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to ensure we were meeting our obligations,” Chard said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We are distressed and deeply concerned about this apparent error.”
Evans’ role as a reserve officer limited his authority—he was not allowed to carry a personal firearm or take department-issued weapons home. Chief Chard emphasized that reserve officers are not authorized to carry any weapons not issued by the department.
The town confirmed it is aware of Evans’ plans to depart voluntarily and reaffirmed its commitment to following all state and federal employment laws. Officials said they will continue to use the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form along with the E-Verify system for future hires.
However, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin criticized the department’s “reckless reliance” on E-Verify, stating that the system alone is not enough to confirm legal work status.
“E-Verify does not absolve employers of their legal duty to verify documentation authenticity,” McLaughlin said. “No illegal alien should ever be provided a firearm or serve in law enforcement. It’s not just the law—it’s common sense.”
