04-06-2025
Proposed ban on ICE agreements pushed to next year as lawmakers consider other restrictions
An ICE officer coordinates with other officials during an enforcement operation in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
The Judiciary Committee pushed off deciding on whether to ban local law enforcement agreements with federal immigration authorities until next year. But the majority of its members voted against a conflicting proposal that would make it illegal to restrict compliance with immigration enforcement.
These decisions were made on Wednesday as members ran back and forth between the committee room and their respective chambers amid a busy session day.
The committee decided to carry over into next year LD 1259, which would explicitly prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with federal immigration enforcement authorities.
On the other hand, a motion to pass LD 1656, which would prevent local agencies from adopting any policies that restrict them from assisting in the enforcement of federal immigration law, failed 4-8, with two members absent. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Michael Soboleski of Phillips and co-sponsored by nine other Republicans.
However, the committee has yet to decide on LD 1971, which would place restrictions on enforcement activities absent formal agreements with federal authorities.
The committee did discuss an amendment to clarify what would and would not be permitted under the bill as a means to address pushback from police groups. Auburn Police Chief Jason Moen, who is president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, raised concerns about the bill hindering federal task forces that are not primarily for immigration enforcement but sometimes touch on some immigration issues, such as drug enforcement partnerships.
Moen said the proposed changes assuage those concerns 'to some extent.' Another work session on LD 1971 is scheduled for Monday.
Immigration enforcement hearing highlights lack of protocol for local, federal collaboration
Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor), who sponsored LD 1259, requested that the bill be carried over to next year, telling her colleagues Wednesday that she believes it is necessary but would benefit from more time to allow for greater community engagement and to study its implications before lawmakers vote.
Participation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program has grown across the country after President Donald Trump revived it to bolster ICE's capacity by deputizing local police officers to detain immigrants, an authority otherwise generally reserved to federal authorities. The program was discontinued in 2012 due to the discovery of discriminatory practices such as racial profiling.
Wells Police Department is the only Maine agency that has opted to join. However, Wells paused its agreement to see if the Legislature votes to ban such contracts.
'Some law enforcement officials expressed concerns about the bill's unintended impacts, which I take seriously,' Rana told Maine Morning Star after the vote.
Noting that six states have laws or policies that prohibit participation, Rana said, 'Additional time in our legislative process allows us to study the impacts in those states while individual communities continue to advocate for municipalities that stand for the safety of all residents.'
Wells residents have been voicing both support and opposition to their local police force contracting with ICE at Select Board meetings. Those calling for the police force to terminate the contract have collected more than 350 signatures.
Monmouth Winthrop Police Department, a combination of departments that serve central Maine communities, also initially submitted an application to join the program but withdrew it after community pushback, with their Police Chief Paul Ferland citing the division it caused in the community as the main reason.
'Carrying the bill over keeps it alive while we continue to build support across the state,' Rana said.
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