By Eloge Willy Kaneza
Author, community advocate, and Democratic nominee Marpheen Chann says his campaign for Cumberland County commissioner is about more than making history. He believes his campaign is about ensuring that immigrant communities, communities of color, and working families have a stronger voice in local government.
If elected, Chann would become the first Asian American county commissioner in Maine, a milestone he said reflects decades of efforts by immigrants and other underrepresented groups to gain representation in public office.
In an exclusive interview with Amjambo Africa, Chann discussed his candidacy, the county’s relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), public safety, affordable housing, and the importance of building trust between local government and immigrant communities.
“It’s important to recognize that this doesn’t happen on its own,” Chann said. “It’s built on the history of our state, the history of immigration, and the people who came before us.”
Chann, executive director of Khmer Maine and author of the memoir Moon in Full, made history in 2021 when he became the first Cambodian American elected official in Maine after winning a seat on Portland’s Charter Commission.
He said his candidacy follows a path forged by other immigrant and minority leaders, including Portland City Councilor Pious Ali and former Lewiston City Councilor Safiya Khalid, who helped expand political representation despite facing racism and xenophobia.
“We want to have a voice and a place at the table where decisions are being made,” Chann said.
County government’s role
Although county government often receives less public attention than municipal or state government, Chann believes it plays a critical role in residents’ daily lives. County commissioners oversee budgets, county jails, emergency management systems, public health initiatives, and other services that directly affect local communities.
Chann said he hopes to bring a different perspective to county government, which has traditionally been dominated by older elected officials. A recent analysis of county commissioners in Maine found that most are in their late 60s or older. Chann said greater diversity in age, ethnicity, and life experience can help Maine’s government better reflect the people it serves.
“When people see someone who looks like them or shares some of their experiences in government, they become more engaged and feel like they have a voice,” he said.
ICE contract debate sparked campaign
One of the defining issues in Chann’s campaign has been Cumberland County’s relationship with ICE.
The county recently ended a controversial contract that allowed federal immigration detainees to be housed at the Cumberland County Jail. The debate generated strong reactions across Maine and prompted discussions about the role local governments should play in federal immigration enforcement.
Chann said local law enforcement should not cooperate with ICE under current federal immigration policies. “My personal belief is that local law enforcement should absolutely not be cooperating or collaborating with ICE under the current administration,” he said.
He argued that many immigration violations are civil matters, rather than criminal offenses, and criticized efforts to treat immigrants as criminals.
According to Chann, local governments should focus on serving residents rather than assisting federal immigration enforcement.
“The federal government has enough resources to do what the federal government wants to do,” he said. “I don’t believe what is happening right now is right or just.”
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Chann acknowledged that ending cooperation with ICE could result in financial losses for the county government but said moral considerations should outweigh budget concerns.
“At least you’ll sleep better at night knowing that you weren’t complicit in the detention of innocent immigrants and the separation of families,” he said.
Rethinking public safety
Chann also wants to shift how the county government approaches public safety.
He argued that too many people end up in jail because of untreated mental illness, substance use disorders, or homelessness.
Instead of relying primarily on incarceration, Chann advocated for investing in prevention, treatment, and diversion programs. “It’s much cheaper to prevent, divert, and treat homelessness and mental health challenges than it is to incarcerate people,” he said.
A significant portion of the county budget is dedicated to the jail system, said Chann. He believes county leaders should examine whether those resources could be used more effectively elsewhere.
He pointed to public health, behavioral health services, and housing initiatives as areas where additional investments could reduce incarceration and improve community well-being.
“If public health matters and mental health matters, then we should put our money where our mouth is,” he said.
Building trust with immigrants
A major priority for Chann is rebuilding trust between immigrant communities and county government following years of controversy surrounding immigration enforcement.
He said immigrant families often fear interactions with law enforcement and government agencies, making it more difficult for families to seek assistance when needed.
To address those concerns, Chann proposes working closely with immigrant-serving organizations and community leaders throughout Cumberland County. “We’re going to have to work closely with immigrant communities to rebuild trust,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of addressing broader economic challenges that affect both immigrants and longtime Maine residents.
Affordable housing, transportation, and rising costs remain among the most pressing concerns facing families across the state, he said.
“When government focuses on those basic needs, everyone is better off,” Chann said.
Shaped by a refugee family’s experience
Chann said his approach to public service is deeply influenced by his family’s history.
The son of Cambodian refugees, he grew up with a strong sense of community responsibility and collective support. He later was adopted by a white Christian family, giving him a unique perspective on different cultural traditions and values.
Many immigrant communities, he noted, view family as extending far beyond parents and children to include grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives who provide support and guidance.
Chann’s family experience shaped his belief that public policy should balance individual freedoms with community well-being.
“How do we move forward as a society while respecting individual rights and liberties?” Chann said. “That’s something I think about all the time.”
Responding to concerns about immigration
Chann rejected arguments that limiting cooperation with ICE would make communities less safe.
He pointed to research showing that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans.
He also argued that many of the nation’s immigration challenges stem from a broken federal system rather than from immigrants themselves. “The issue isn’t immigrants,” he said. “The issue is that we have an immigration system that creates years-long backlogs and forces people into impossible situations.”
Rather than focusing on detention and deportation, Chann believes Congress should modernize immigration laws, hire more immigration judges, and improve processing times for asylum and residency applications.
Finding hope in difficult times
Despite growing political divisions, Chann remains optimistic about the future.
He believes many Americans, regardless of political affiliation, ultimately want the same things: safe communities, economic opportunity, and a better future for their children.
“What gives me hope is that people’s minds can still change,” he said.
Chann said he understands why many people feel frustrated or fearful about the direction of the country, but he believes lasting solutions require dialogue rather than division.
“We’re all living on this earth together,” he said. “At some point, we have to figure out how to move forward together.”
A message to Maine
As Maine continues to grow more diverse, Chann says communities will benefit from embracing newcomers while maintaining the values that have long defined the state.
He described Maine’s identity as rooted in community, resilience, and helping neighbors through difficult times.
“In order for Maine to survive and thrive, we’re going to need to welcome people from away,” Chann said. “Whether they’re immigrants or people moving here from another state, community is what helps us move forward.”
