AUGUSTA, ME – A piece of legislation out of Maine which limits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities was passed earlier in December, effectively making the northern border state the next slated sanctuary for illegal aliens.
In a December 15th opinion-editorial featured in the Portland Press Herald, Maine’s Democrat Governor Janet Mills “announced her intent” to allow a sanctuary state piece of legislation to become law, justifying the bill in the op-ed and a concurring press release from her office which called the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “unacceptable.”
The legislation in question, LD1971, was passed by both chambers of the Maine Legislature this past June, but Governor Mills initially opted to delay her decision on the bill over the summer. Mirroring sanctuary policies adopted in other states and cities, LD1971 forbids state and local law enforcement from detaining anyone for the purposes of handing them over to immigration authorities and also forbids correctional facilities from informing ICE about detainees who may be illegally in the country.
While Maine’s sanctuary legislation isn’t reinventing the proverbial wheel, what is somewhat novel in this case is the accompanying op-ed written by the state’s governor that was featured in one of Maine’s oldest circulating newspapers.
“As a former District Attorney and Attorney General and now as Governor, I carefully considered this bill,” Governor Mills wrote, adding, “I've weighed my concerns that it imposes confusing restraints on law enforcement about when they can and can't interact with Federal authorities against the extraordinary and horrifying actions of a Federal agency that has been weaponized by the President to undermine the rights of us all.”
Governor Mills conceded that LD1971 is an “imperfect” bill and that such legislation genuinely “should not” be adopted under normal circumstances but justified her position on allowing it to come to fruition because “the times call for it. We cannot turn a blind eye to ICE's unacceptable actions, and so I have chosen to allow LD 1971 to become law.”
Republicans within Maine are reasonably concerned over the potential fallout of LD1971, citing both matters of public safety and the possibility of federal funding being withheld due to adopting what the current administration would likely see as a sanctuary policy.
A statement released by the Maine House Republicans condemned Governor Mills’ decision to allow LD1971 to become law, calling the move “reckless” as well as noting the legislation “shields criminals.”
“Limiting cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal authorities - a longstanding tradition due to Maine’s extensive foreign border - shows a reckless disregard for public safety and will put Maine’s public at risk,” the statement reads, further noting, “By restricting law enforcement access to individuals already in custody, this law shields criminals and weakens efforts to prevent violent crime.”
In a December 15th opinion-editorial featured in the Portland Press Herald, Maine’s Democrat Governor Janet Mills “announced her intent” to allow a sanctuary state piece of legislation to become law, justifying the bill in the op-ed and a concurring press release from her office which called the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “unacceptable.”
The legislation in question, LD1971, was passed by both chambers of the Maine Legislature this past June, but Governor Mills initially opted to delay her decision on the bill over the summer. Mirroring sanctuary policies adopted in other states and cities, LD1971 forbids state and local law enforcement from detaining anyone for the purposes of handing them over to immigration authorities and also forbids correctional facilities from informing ICE about detainees who may be illegally in the country.
While Maine’s sanctuary legislation isn’t reinventing the proverbial wheel, what is somewhat novel in this case is the accompanying op-ed written by the state’s governor that was featured in one of Maine’s oldest circulating newspapers.
“As a former District Attorney and Attorney General and now as Governor, I carefully considered this bill,” Governor Mills wrote, adding, “I've weighed my concerns that it imposes confusing restraints on law enforcement about when they can and can't interact with Federal authorities against the extraordinary and horrifying actions of a Federal agency that has been weaponized by the President to undermine the rights of us all.”
Governor Mills conceded that LD1971 is an “imperfect” bill and that such legislation genuinely “should not” be adopted under normal circumstances but justified her position on allowing it to come to fruition because “the times call for it. We cannot turn a blind eye to ICE's unacceptable actions, and so I have chosen to allow LD 1971 to become law.”
Republicans within Maine are reasonably concerned over the potential fallout of LD1971, citing both matters of public safety and the possibility of federal funding being withheld due to adopting what the current administration would likely see as a sanctuary policy.
A statement released by the Maine House Republicans condemned Governor Mills’ decision to allow LD1971 to become law, calling the move “reckless” as well as noting the legislation “shields criminals.”
“Limiting cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal authorities - a longstanding tradition due to Maine’s extensive foreign border - shows a reckless disregard for public safety and will put Maine’s public at risk,” the statement reads, further noting, “By restricting law enforcement access to individuals already in custody, this law shields criminals and weakens efforts to prevent violent crime.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments