Mills Weighs Emergency Order as Portland Seeks 60-Day Eviction Freeze

PORTLAND, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills (D) said her administration will review Portland’s request to declare a state of emergency and impose a 60-day statewide eviction moratorium, a move city leaders say is needed to keep renters housed after recent federal immigration enforcement left some families afraid to leave home or go to work. This was reported by WGME, no official statement from the Governor has been released, yet.

The Portland City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 2, 2026, approving a resolution that urges Mills to temporarily pause evictions, effectively seeking a breathing room period for tenants who have missed paychecks and fallen behind on rent. Supporters described the proposal as an emergency stabilizer aimed at preventing a short-term income disruption from turning into a winter wave of housing loss.

Mills’ office responded that the governor would examine the request and echoed the council’s premise that fear and disruption tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity should not push families into homelessness. A spokesperson for Mills said the administration intends to remain in contact with municipal officials and philanthropic organizations while it weighs the legal and economic implications of any emergency action. The Governor will have to declare a “State of Emergency” to put this pause in place.

Dion: fear is rippling through paychecks — and housing

Mayor Mark Dion backed the council’s call as Portland leaders described what they say are knock-on effects of heightened enforcement: workers missing shifts, families limiting their travel, and renters falling behind. Tenant advocates told officials, at Mondays City Council meeting, that a few missed pay periods can quickly become an eviction notice for households living close to the edge.

Local housing organizations and advocates have warned that the number of at-risk households is significant and could grow if families remain unable to work consistently.

Landlords, legal questions, and the limits of local power

The city’s resolution reflects a core constraint: Portland cannot order a statewide eviction pause on its own, prompting the council to ask the governor to use emergency authority. At the same time, the proposal has drawn concerns from property owners and landlords who argue that a broad eviction halt could shift financial strain onto small landlords, complicate mortgage and tax obligations, and create uncertainty in housing court processes.