AUGUSTA, Maine — Leaders in Maine’s two largest cities and Gov. Janet Mills (D) issued statements Wednesday warning residents to “know your rights” amid reports and speculation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may soon conduct enforcement activity in Lewiston and Portland.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline (D) said it is his “understanding that there will be ICE enforcement in Lewiston soon,” urging residents and businesses to “have a plan of action” if agents stop someone in the street or visit a home or workplace. He emphasized that Lewiston Police “do not enforce federal law,” and acknowledged the concern the rumors have stirred in the community.
Portland Mayor Mark Dion (D) struck a sharper tone, saying the city is “anxious and fearful” amid “the understanding” that ICE plans to send agents to Portland and Lewiston next week. Dion said Portland “rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods,” arguing there is “no evidence of unchecked criminal activity” requiring what he described as a “paramilitary approach” to federal enforcement. Dion also reminded residents that Portland Police “does not cooperate with ICE” and “do not participate in enforcing federal immigration law,” and urged any protesters to remain peaceful.
Mills, in a separate video statement, said her administration has “attempted, unsuccessfully thus far,” to confirm with federal officials whether any operations are planned, what they would look like, or what the basis would be. She said she has directed Maine State Police to work closely with local law enforcement “as necessary,” and said the administration has been coordinating with officials in Portland and Lewiston and the attorney general’s office.
In the statement, Mills contrasted Maine’s law enforcement standards with what she suggested could be coming from federal agents, saying Maine officers “don’t wear a mask to shield their identities” and “don’t arrest people to fill quotas.” She warned that tactics meant to be “provocative” or to “undermine the civil rights of Maine residents” are “not welcome here,” and closed with a pledge: “Maine will not be intimidated, and we will not betray the values that make us who we are.”
Trump, meanwhile, has spent the past week sharpening his broader enforcement messaging and repeatedly pointing to Maine while doing so. On Wednesday, he renewed a threat to cut federal funding to states that include “sanctuary cities,” saying the move would begin Feb. 1, part of a push he has framed as forcing Democratic-run jurisdictions to cooperate with federal immigration officers.
And in a Tuesday speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump cited Maine while alleging “Somali scams” were happening “in Maine, too,” according to a report that also said federal officials are considering a new immigration enforcement operation in Maine focused on Somali refugees.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-delivers-remarks-to-the-detroit-economic-club
