PORTLAND, Maine – Portland’s City Council is set for a packed Monday agenda, with one of the most closely watched items being a proposal to tighten limits on how city employees and officials may cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The measure, Order 180-25/26, is scheduled for consideration at the council’s April 13 meeting.
https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8378/files/agenda/19712
The proposal, sponsored by Councilors Pious Ali and Regina Phillips, would amend Chapter 2 of the Portland City Code to clarify that city employees and officials are generally barred from assisting federal agencies in immigration enforcement operations, except when such assistance is required by law. The order would also leave in place existing language prohibiting employees from asking about a person’s citizenship or immigration status unless required by law or necessary to connect someone with immigration-related services.
The item comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine pushed similar language in multiple Maine communities in response to what the organization has described as unconstitutional federal action. Ahead of Monday’s meeting, the ACLU of Maine publicly urged Portland officials to pass the ordinance, saying it is intended to protect due process, immigrant rights, and ensure local resources remain focused on local priorities.
Earlier this year, the council also asked Gov. Janet Mills (D) for an eviction moratorium tied to ICE activity in Maine, but that effort went nowhere after the governor did not act. A similar request for a temporary statewide eviction moratorium was also reflected in South Portland’s February resolution regarding federal immigration enforcement.
Under the agenda language, the order must be read on two separate days. Ali and Phillips are asking the council to waive the second reading, which would require seven affirmative votes. They are also seeking emergency passage, which would likewise require seven votes following public comment.
If approved, the measure would mark Portland’s latest move in the broader debate over how Maine municipalities should respond to federal immigration enforcement, a fight that has already played out in other cities across the state.
Ali and Mandami, two birds of a feather. PWM is following NYC down the tubes. My family will avoid entering either place.
I no longer patronize communist regimes
Apply some ICE to that sore spot.
What Blithering IDIOTS! Illegal immigrants are sticking up tax payer money and services that could go to Maine citizens and veterans but NO; it’s more important to cater to illegal Democrat voters.