Key Takeaways
• ICE arrests in Maine rose 50% in 2025, with nearly 100 detained so far this year.
• Governor Janet Mills delays decision on LD 1971 bill until January 2026 legislative session.
• LD 1971 limits local police cooperation with ICE but was softened after law enforcement concerns.
Since January 2025, Maine has seen a sharp rise in ICE arrests, with about 100 people detained so far this year—a 50% increase compared to the previous year. This uptick follows a nationwide push for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest 3,000 people per day, a policy driven by President Trump’s administration. As these changes unfold, Maine’s approach to local police cooperation with ICE remains uncertain, with Governor Janet Mills delaying a decision on a key bill that could reshape how state and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities.
Below is a clear summary of what has changed, who is affected, the timeline for next steps, and what these developments mean for immigrants, law enforcement, and communities across Maine.
Summary of Recent Changes
- ICE arrests in Maine have doubled since January 2025. Nearly 80% of those arrested have not been convicted of any crime. These numbers do not include Border Patrol arrests, which added over 100 more detentions in April alone.
- Governor Janet Mills is delaying action on LD 1971, a bill that would limit local police cooperation with ICE. The bill will remain on hold until the next legislative session, expected in January 2026.
- The Maine Legislature passed LD 1971 in June 2025, but the version sent to the governor was less strict than the original proposal. Some restrictions were removed after law enforcement raised concerns about impacts on joint investigations.
- A second bill, LD 1259, which would ban agencies from entering contracts with federal immigration enforcement, has also been delayed until the next session.
Who Is Affected
- Immigrants living in Maine, including those with and without legal status, are directly impacted by the increase in ICE arrests and the uncertainty around local police cooperation.
- Local law enforcement agencies face ongoing questions about their role in immigration enforcement and the legal risks of cooperating with ICE.
- Community organizations and advocates are working to protect immigrant rights and ensure due process.
- Municipalities may face legal and financial risks if they cooperate with ICE in ways that violate civil rights.
Effective Dates and Timeline
- LD 1971 will remain in limbo until at least January 2026. When the Maine Legislature reconvenes, Governor Janet Mills will have three days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without her signature.
- A special legislative session could trigger earlier action, but no such session has been scheduled.
- Until then, the current system remains in place, with broad local police cooperation with ICE continuing.
Required Actions for Affected Individuals and Groups
- Immigrants and their families should stay informed about their rights and any changes in local law enforcement practices. It is important to know that, for now, local police may continue to cooperate with ICE unless there is a court order or criminal warrant.
- Community advocates and legal organizations should monitor the Maine Legislature’s schedule and Governor Mills’ office for updates on the status of LD 1971 and LD 1259.
- Law enforcement agencies should review their current policies on cooperation with ICE and prepare for possible changes in state law in 2026.
- Anyone affected by ICE arrests or local police cooperation can seek help from organizations such as the ACLU of Maine or the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project.
Details of LD 1971 and Its Provisions
LD 1971 is designed to set clear rules for how state, county, and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities. Here are the main points:
- Police cannot investigate, detain, or search someone just for immigration enforcement purposes. This means officers cannot stop or hold someone only because of their immigration status unless there is a court order or criminal warrant.
- Local officers cannot be placed under federal supervision for immigration enforcement. They also cannot use federal immigration officers as interpreters.
- Police can still join joint task forces for non-immigration criminal investigations. Federal agents can interview detainees if they have a court order.
- The bill was approved by a narrow margin—75-73 in the House and 20-14 in the Senate—showing how divided lawmakers are on this issue.
However, the version of LD 1971 that reached Governor Janet Mills was less strict than the original. Some restrictions were removed after law enforcement groups, such as the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, raised concerns about impacts on joint criminal investigations and public safety.
Governor Janet Mills’ Position and Rationale for Delay
Governor Janet Mills has chosen to delay a decision on LD 1971, saying the bill is “overly broad and confusing.” Her office argues that the bill would create a complicated legal situation for law enforcement when working with federal agencies. Mills has not said whether she will sign, veto, or let the bill become law without her signature when the next session begins.
This delay means that Maine’s current approach to local police cooperation with ICE will stay the same until at least January 2026. Mills’ decision keeps the state in a holding pattern, with no formal limits on how local police can work with federal immigration authorities.
Community and Law Enforcement Responses
The debate over LD 1971 has brought out strong opinions from many groups:
- Law enforcement groups, including the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, worry that the bill could make it harder to work with federal agencies on drug and criminal cases. Some police departments, like Wells PD, have already paused partnerships with ICE after community backlash.
- Immigrant advocates say the bill is needed to protect due process and reduce fear in immigrant communities. They point to cases where people with legal documentation were wrongfully detained and say that fear of ICE makes immigrants less likely to report crimes or seek help.
- Opponents of the bill, such as Sen. David Haggan, argue that limiting police cooperation with ICE could put public safety at risk and make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs.
Quantitative Data and Enforcement Trends
- ICE arrests in Maine have increased by about 50% since January 2025, with roughly 100 people arrested so far this year.
- Border Patrol made over 100 arrests in April 2025 alone.
- In May 2025, CBP detained 39 people in targeted sweeps across several Maine towns.
- Nearly 80% of those arrested have no criminal convictions. Many are detained for civil immigration violations, not criminal offenses.
- Detainees come from many countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and China.
Practical Implications for Immigrants and Communities
The surge in ICE arrests and the uncertainty around local police cooperation have real effects on people’s lives:
- Increased fear and reluctance to use public services. Many immigrants, even those with legal status, are now more afraid to go to school, visit the doctor, or talk to the police.
- Reports of wrongful detentions. Some people with lawful documentation have been detained by mistake, raising concerns about due process and civil rights.
- Chilling effect on crime reporting. Fear of ICE makes immigrants less likely to report crimes or cooperate with law enforcement, which can hurt public safety for everyone.
Implications for Law Enforcement and Municipalities
- Ongoing debate over public safety and civil rights. Police must balance their role in keeping communities safe with the need to protect individual rights and avoid legal risks.
- Legal and financial risks. Municipalities that cooperate with ICE could face lawsuits if they violate civil rights, leading to costly legal battles.
- Uncertainty about future policies. With LD 1971 on hold, law enforcement agencies must wait to see if new rules will be put in place in 2026.
State Policy and Future Outlook
Maine’s approach to local police cooperation with ICE remains unsettled. The outcome of LD 1971 will shape how law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities and will affect immigrant rights across the state.
- If LD 1971 becomes law, it will set clear limits on local police cooperation with ICE, protecting immigrants from being detained solely for immigration reasons.
- If Governor Mills vetoes the bill, the Legislature could try to override her decision, but the vote margins are narrow, so success is uncertain.
- If the bill is not signed or vetoed, it could become law without the governor’s signature, depending on legislative procedures.
Legal and Policy Analysis
Legal experts and advocates warn that expanded ICE detainer use raises serious due process and constitutional concerns. Municipalities that hold people for ICE without a court order could face lawsuits and financial penalties. Policy analysts say Maine’s debate reflects national divisions over immigration enforcement and the balance between federal and state authority.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the delay in deciding on LD 1971 means continued uncertainty for both law enforcement and immigrant communities. The current system of broad ICE cooperation will remain in place until at least early 2026, unless a special legislative session is called sooner.
Next Steps and Recommendations
For those affected by these changes, here are some practical steps to take:
- Stay informed. Monitor updates from the Maine Legislature and Governor Janet Mills’ office for news about LD 1971 and LD 1259. The official Maine Legislature website provides up-to-date information on bills and legislative sessions.
- Know your rights. Immigrants should understand their legal rights when interacting with law enforcement and ICE. Organizations like the ACLU of Maine offer resources and support.
- Seek legal help if needed. If you or someone you know is detained by ICE or local police, contact a trusted legal organization for assistance.
- Community organizations should continue advocacy efforts. Keep raising awareness about the impacts of ICE arrests and the importance of due process protections.
Official Resources for More Information
- Maine Legislature – Track the status of LD 1971, LD 1259, and other bills.
- Office of Governor Janet Mills – Updates from the governor’s office.
- ACLU of Maine – Legal resources and advocacy for immigrant rights.
Conclusion and Outlook
The doubling of ICE arrests in Maine and the delay in deciding on limits for local police cooperation have created a period of uncertainty for immigrants, law enforcement, and communities. With nearly 80% of those arrested having no criminal convictions, concerns about due process and civil rights are growing. Governor Janet Mills’ decision to hold off on LD 1971 means that, for now, local police can continue to cooperate with ICE as before.
The next legislative session in January 2026 will be a critical moment for Maine’s immigration policy. The outcome will determine whether the state sets clear limits on police cooperation with ICE or maintains the current system. Until then, immigrants and advocates should stay informed, know their rights, and be prepared for further changes.
For the latest updates and official information, visit the Maine Legislature’s website.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining individuals.
LD 1971 → A Maine bill aiming to restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.
Detainer → A request from ICE to local authorities to hold an individual beyond release for immigration enforcement.
Legislative Session → A period when lawmakers meet to debate and pass laws, such as the Maine Legislature’s meetings.
Due Process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system, protecting individual rights during enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
Maine faces a 50% rise in ICE arrests amid delayed legislation limiting police cooperation. Governor Janet Mills postponed a key immigration bill decision until 2026, keeping existing enforcement policies intact and intensifying uncertainty for immigrants and law enforcement statewide.
— By VisaVerge.com
