Maine Governor Approves Law Limiting Police Immigration Cooperation
Democratic Governor Janet Mills of Maine has approved legislation aimed at preventing state police from enforcing immigration laws or aiding federal enforcement agencies.
This week, Mills remarked on the LD1971 Act, expressing her belief that the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are “unacceptable.” However, she also noted that the law seemed “incomplete.”
Mills did not sign the bill within the required 10-day timeframe. With that deadline passed, she faced two choices: either veto the bill or allow it to become law without her signature. She opted for the latter.
In a recent editorial, Mills characterized ICE as “dangerous” and criticized federal agents for detaining undocumented individuals who, she claimed, had “no criminal history.”
Mills referred to Maine’s undocumented individuals as “immigrants,” expressing concern that these individuals live in fear while trying to provide for their families and send their children to school.
She further complained about ICE actions, alleging they were “kidnapping American citizens” and criticized the federal government under Trump for alleged abuses and using immigration enforcement as a political tool.
While allowing this legislation to pass, Mills also revoked a previous executive order from the former governor that required state law enforcement to collaborate with ICE and other federal authorities.
Additionally, she made an inaccurate claim that ICE was “targeting school children.”
In her statement, Mills emphasized that by allowing this bill to become law, Maine is signaling its stance: the federal government needs to reform a flawed immigration system that leaves law-abiding people in fear, while, instead, focusing on genuine threats to public safety rather than children and their families.
LD 1971 was sponsored by Deka Darak, a Somali immigrant and Democratic member of the state House from Portland, who highlighted her status as the first immigrant, Black, Muslim woman in Maine’s public office.
Even with Mills’ support, Darak indicated concern over the delay in the signing of the bill.
She stated that the aim was to clearly separate state law enforcement from federal immigration authorities to better serve communities, arguing that local police involvement in immigration enforcement weakens trust and safety for everyone.
Darak concluded that the new law upholds the dignity and public safety of all residents in the state.
Meanwhile, the Maine Republican Party criticized Mills for not vetoing the legislation, calling it reckless and harmful to public safety, suggesting it puts citizens at risk by restricting cooperation with federal authorities.
They also argued that LD 1971 may endanger the community by protecting those who may pose risks and by hampering law enforcement efforts.
