MAINE — The state’s political leaders are responding to federal law enforcement operations that may occur in Maine.
Maine’s two largest cities, Portland and Lewiston, are now preparing for operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as soon as next week.
“We are a welcoming city,” Portland Mayor Mark Dion said. “There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents. In that view, Portland rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods.”
Dion said he and the Portland City Council stand with “our lawfully admitted immigrant and refugee communities.”
“I urge our residents to look out for one another,” Dion said. “Know your rights and have a plan of action if ICE stops you on the street, visits your home, or arrives at your business or place of employment. As a reminder, Portland Police does not cooperate with ICE and they do not participate in enforcing federal immigration law. If you decide to protest or demonstrate, keep your efforts peaceful and consistent with the expectations for lawful behavior that we all share.”
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline urged residents and businesses “to know their rights and have a plan of action if ICE stops them in the street, visits their home, or visits their business.”
Sheline continued: “As a reminder, Lewiston Police do not enforce federal law. I understand that this is an unsettling time for many of our residents. Lewiston is a strong city and we care about our community and each other. Please check on your neighbors and stay safe.”
State Rep. Mana Abdi (D), who represents part of Lewiston, said that many of her constituents are “feeling anxious about potential increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Maine.”
“I understand that this uncertainty is stressful, especially for immigrant and refugee families in our community,” Abdi said. “What is important for people to know right now is that everyone has rights. No one is required to open their door without a warrant signed by a judge, and the Lewiston Police Department does not enforce federal immigration law. I know some people are afraid to go to work, send their children to school, or seek medical care, but I want to encourage folks to continue with their daily lives as they have for decades. Maine is our home.”
Abdi called for due process to be upheld, and for the protection of people’s dignity and property.
“Federal agencies may be here to do a job, but how that job is done matters,” Abdi said.
Gov. Janet Mills said her office was not successful in confirming what if any operations are planned within the coming days, but said her administration is working with local municipalities to prepare.
The governor said she has directed state police to work closely with and support local law enforcement.
"To the Federal government I say this: if your plan is to come here to be provocative and to undermine the civil rights of Maine residents, do not be confused –– those tactics are not welcome here,” Mills said in a video address Wednesday. “To the people of Maine: I know you care deeply about protecting your neighbors, as do I. And I know that many of you are angry about the potential for any enhanced Federal law enforcement presence in Maine. I feel that too. But if they come here, I want any Federal agents -- and the President of the United States -- to know what this state stands for. We stand for the rule of law. We oppose violence. We stand for peaceful protest. We stand for compassion, for integrity and justice.”
Mills asked that anyone protesting do so peacefully.
State Senate Republican leadership criticized Mills, a Democrat, for her statement.
They blamed Mills’ refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities for escalating the situation. They also blamed her for allowing a bill limiting local cooperation with ICE to become law without her signature.
“This is what happens when you have a Governor who puts political brinkmanship over the safety of Maine citizens,” Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart of Aroostook County said. “Her actions place law enforcement and the general public at heightened risk.”
Actions by ICE agents performing immigration crackdowns in cities such as Minneapolis have drawn ire and protests throughout the country. Those protests intensified following the killing of mother of three Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, and the shooting of a protester in the leg on Wednesday.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said agents in the Good incident were acting in self-defense.
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has defended ICE actions, according to the Associated Press, stating on Tuesday: “Americans voting overwhelmingly for mass deportation. Congress passed laws requiring it and then passed new legislation to fully fund it. The response of the Democrat Party and its activists has been to support and orchestrate violent resistance against federal law enforcement.”
Still, officials including members of Maine’s congressional delegation remain concerned.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said federal enforcement officials will be held accountable for any illegal actions.
“Please know that I stand firmly with our immigrant communities and the people of Maine. We will NOT stand by as ICE, CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), or any other agency tries to terrorize our communities and unlawfully abduct our neighbors.”
“Like many in Maine, I have begun to hear rumors of imminent federal law enforcement activities coming to our state,” independent U.S. Sen. Angus King said. “Given the videos and headlines we have seen from operations conducted in other states – many of them reckless, heartless, and irreversibly destructive – I share the same worries many of you have.”