A community dinner intended to bring together new and longtime Mainers to share their cultures, traditions and food next week in Waterville is still on, despite concerns the event could attract immigration officials rumored to soon be stepping up enforcement efforts in Maine.

Organizers of the New Neighbor Community Dinner say they are monitoring reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials may increase operations in Maine starting next week. And they acknowledge they do have concerns their event, meant to bring immigrants together with neighbors in a show of unity, could be impacted by both the rumors and the potential presence of ICE agents in Maine.

“We do have concerns, and we have some plans in place,” to address concerns ICE agents could target such an event, said Jon Godbout, executive director of the Augusta-area based Capital Area New Mainers Project, a nonprofit organization that helps immigrants new to central Maine connect with their new neighbors. “We’re planning to move forward, at the moment, trying to stick to what our mission is, to bring people in the community together, and create connections.”

Godbout said organizers of the event — Capital Area New Mainers and a handful of other nonprofits that make up Better Together Waterville — will monitor the situation and could consider rescheduling it.

Other Better Together Waterville member organizations include Waterville Creates, Colby College, the Center for Small Town Jewish Life, and Mid-Maine Regional Adult and Community Education.

The event, which started last year, was held at Holy Cannoli but will be held at Waterville High School this year to accommodate a crowd expected to surpass the 100 guests who took part last year.

Godbout said they expect about 150 people, although he agreed some immigrants could have second thoughts about attending this year out of concern ICE could target the event and harass even people who are in the country legally.

Organizers said all are welcome at the event. There is no charge, and food will be donated by area restaurants, although some guests may bring potluck foods.

“Anyone and everyone is invited, as long as you come with a loving heart,” Godbout said.

The New Neighbor Community Dinner is set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday.

Godbout said they’ve heard the same reports others have, that ICE may send additional agents to Maine soon. He said they’re monitoring the situation daily, communicating with other immigrant support groups.

He said it’s also important to try not to cause unnecessary panic with false reports of ICE activity.

The Augusta-Waterville area has a substantial and growing population of Syrian refugees. Most are part of a secondary migration of Syrians, who are coming to central Maine to resettle from other parts of the country.