Dear Editor: 

We are the parents of Xenia Pantos and Carly Williams and we live in Lincoln County (Edgecomb and Nobleboro). Xenia and Carly have been in the national news lately for their courageous response to the federal intimidation of our immigrant neighbors in Portland, where they live. Xenia and Carly’s experience with the Department of Homeland Security makes it clear that they have been added to some sort of federal domestic terrorist watch list, although DHS has repeatedly denied the existence of such a watch list. 

This entire experience has been upsetting and scary for Xenia and Carly, particularly as a queer couple in these times, but they have stepped forward to be included as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against ICE and DHS. 

We are so proud of them for standing up to protect everyone’s constitutionally guaranteed 1st amendment rights.  As ICE agents continue to put our immigrant neighbors into custody across Maine without cause, upholding our constitutional right to peacefully observe law enforcement is more important now than ever. This lawsuit pursues justice to uphold this right so citizens can hold ICE agents to account. 

If you’d like to learn more about the lawsuit and Carly and Xenia’s experience, they were interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered on 6/15/26. 

Pam Wylie and Kirk Pantos 

Diana Williams and Russ Williams