Republican Paul LePage, who is running for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District, claims his son’s father-in-law is being wrongfully deported.

“My son’s wife’s dad is here legally,” LePage said at a news conference on Monday. “But he’s being deported because he came from a country that’s not the liking to certain people in Washington. That’s not right.”

The former governor of Maine – and noted ally of President Donald Trump – added that the man had a valid work permit and should be allowed to stay in the U.S.

In response to LePage’s remarks, a White House spokesperson told HuffPost via email that “work authorization is not legal status.”

“Anyone here legally has nothing to fear. We are targeting the worst of the worst, but if we encounter someone in the country illegally, we will arrest them. This administration does not ignore the rule of law,” the statement continued.

Republican nominee for Maine’s 2nd congressional district Paul LePage says he supports Trump and ICE but is outraged they are deporting one of his relatives: “He’s being deported because he came from a country that’s not to the liking of certain people in Washington.” pic.twitter.com/lmV6CinG23

Trump first endorsed LePage for Congress late last year and reaffirmed his support in June.

“A proven America First Fighter, Paul has been with us from the very beginning, helping us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Paul LePage is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump added.

LePage, for his part, was an early supporter of Trump in 2016. He was even quoted describing himself as “Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular.” LePage also said he and Trump were cut from “the same cloth.”

LePage has made numerous disparaging statements about immigrants in the past, including saying that they bring disease into the country. Despite feeling angry about his son’s father-in-law’s deportation, LePage doubled down on his anti-immigrant rhetoric.

“Well, are they here legally? If they’re not here legally, they’ve broken the law. Unfortunately, and [ICE] have a job to do now,” LePage said on Monday when asked about data showing the majority of people being targeted by ICE officers had no criminal record.

Recent polling data shows LePage in a tight race with Democrat Matthew Dunlap. Incumbent Jared Golden (D-Maine) announced last year he would not seek reelection for a fifth term.

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