Congresswoman Kat Cammack is set to reintroduce the COP Act this week, a bill aimed at barring illegal immigrants from serving as police officers by withholding federal funding from agencies that employ them.
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The bill was introduced back in 2024, but failed to get the backing of Republican leadership.
The move comes in response to a recent incident in Maine, where a Jamaican national, illegally residing in the U.S., was found working as a police officer. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of Jon Luke Evans, a visa overstayer, after he attempted to illegally purchase a firearm, triggering an alert to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Evans, employed by the Old Orchard Beach Police Department in Maine, admitted to attempting the gun purchase as part of his duties. ICE confirmed that Evans entered the U.S. legally on September 24, 2023, via Miami but failed to depart on his scheduled flight on October 1, 2023, remaining in the country unlawfully.Images obtained by authorities show Evans in uniform, carrying a firearm while serving as an officer, raising concerns about vetting processes for law enforcement hires.
Jon Luke Evans
The case has fueled support for the COP Act, which seeks to ensure that only legally authorized individuals serve in such roles. Cammack’s office emphasized that the legislation is intended to protect public safety and maintain the integrity of law enforcement. Further details on the bill’s reintroduction are expected later this week.