Gov. Janet mills (D) announced on Monday she will allow a bill restricting how Maine law enforcement may cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to become law without her signature, advancing a controversial policy change opposed by law enforcement advocates and Republicans.
The legislation, LD 1971, limits when state, county, and local police may investigate, detain, or search individuals solely for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill passed the Maine Legislature largely along party lines at the end of the June session.
Mills had delayed action on the bill, previously calling it overly broad and confusing. Under Maine’s lawmaking process, that delay carried the measure into the next legislative session, where the governor could either veto it or allow it to take effect without her signature. On Monday, Mills said she would choose the latter.
In explaining her decision, Mills said she still has concerns about the bill’s scope but pointed to what she described as increased and politicized immigration enforcement at the federal level as justification for allowing it to become law rather than vetoing it.
“As a former District Attorney and Attorney General and now as Governor, I carefully considered this bill. I’ve weighed my concerns that it imposes confusing restraints on law enforcement about when they can and can’t interact with Federal authorities against the extraordinary and horrifying actions of a Federal agency that has been weaponized by the President to undermine the rights of us all. And I also agree with the bill’s aim of ensuring that Maine law enforcement are enforcing Maine laws, not Federal immigration law“. “LD 1971 is imperfect, and we should not need it, but the times call for it. We cannot turn a blind eye to ICE’s unacceptable actions, and so I have chosen to allow LD 1971 to become law.” said Mills.
Mills, also added “Under any other president, this may be acceptable, but under this Trump Administration, it has become a broad and dangerous promise that Maine will not make,” she specified.
Earlier in the year, when more skeptical of the measure, Mills was not a declared candidate for the U.S. Senate. Whether her throwing her hat into the ring to challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) should she win next June’s primary has influenced her de facto support of LD 1971 remains unclear.
Under the new law, Maine officers will be barred from acting solely for immigration enforcement, though the measure allows continued participation in federal task forces and cooperation in criminal investigations. Federal immigration agents may still interview individuals in custody with a court order.
Mills also said she plans to repeal a 2011 executive order issued by a previous governor that encouraged enhanced cooperation between state and federal officials on immigration enforcement.
Critics argue the law weakens cooperation with federal authorities and sends the wrong message amid ongoing concerns about border security and public safety. Supporters contend it protects civil liberties and clarifies the role of local police.
“Limiting cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal authorities – a longstanding tradition due to Maine’s extensive foreign border – shows a reckless disregard for public safety and will put Maine’s public at risk,” Maine House Republicans said in a statement Monday afternoon.
The bill is expected to become law after the Legislature adjourns, typically about 90 days later.
