The widening rift between Maine’s Democratic leadership and federal immigration authorities intensified Thursday after state Sen. Matt Harrington (R) posted a sharply worded statement to social media from Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, blasting Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) decision to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Harrington shared Lyons’ comments online following the Mills administration’s move restricting how state and local law enforcement agencies may assist federal immigration officers, a policy shift praised by progressive activists and criticized by opponents as cementing Maine’s status as a sanctuary state.
In the statement posted by Harrington, Lyons accused Janet Mills and what he described as her “fellow sanctuary politicians” of siding with criminal illegal aliens over law-abiding citizens.
“Governor Mills and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens,” Lyons said.
Lyons warned that Mills’ decision would “hamstring” local law enforcement by preventing them from helping federal officers arrest individuals accused of serious crimes, including rapists, murderers, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists.
Despite resistance from state officials, Lyons said federal authorities would continue enforcing immigration law.
“DHS will not be deterred from our mission,” Lyons said, adding that federal agencies would continue to “stand up for law and order and the people of Maine.”
Harrington did not add personal commentary to the social media post, allowing the acting ICE director’s remarks to stand as a direct rebuke of the Mills administration. The episode underscores escalating tensions between Maine’s Democratic leadership and federal immigration officials as the state advances policies critics argue weaken cooperation with federal law enforcement and put public safety at risk.
