2021 Maine Legislative Session: ILAP's Wrap Up

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal services organization, was proud to join advocacy efforts that were instrumental to systemic changes at the state level to improve laws and policies that affect all immigrants in Maine.

While immigration law is federal, ILAP worked to advance policies in state law that will positively impact Maine’s immigrant communities and prioritized the issue areas of racial justice and criminal justice. As a result of the sustained advocacy of immigrant-led groups and partner organizations, negative and xenophobic proposals were soundly defeated.

ILAP Advocacy Director Julia Brown released the following statement:

“Our country is in desperate need of a new immigration system that welcomes those who come to the United States to seek safety, reunite with family, or pursue a better life. While we pursue comprehensive reform at the federal level, we cannot neglect to actively make change at the state level to advance more just and equitable policies.    

“This was an unprecedented legislative session and turbulent time. Despite this crisis, the leadership of organizations like Presente Maine, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC), ACLU of Maine, Maine Equal Justice, Preble Street, and countless others, allowed us to fight to ensure that immigrants are valued and treated justly in our society. Our legislative outcomes are a reflection of that work.”


ILAP’S 2021 PRIORITES: RESULTS

RACIAL JUSTICE BILLS

ILAP Supported:

  • LD 2: An Act To Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process - PASSED

  • LD 1034: An Act To Provide Funding To Support the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations - PASSED

 

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE BILLS

ILAP Supported:

  • LD 718: An Act To Improve the Health of Maine Residents by Closing Coverage Gaps in the MaineCare Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program – CARRIED OVER, BUT PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER 21 ARE INCLUDED IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

  • LD 1533: An Act To Amend the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program - PASSED

  • LD 1651: An Act To Support Working Families through Outreach and Education about Tax Credits for Persons of Low Income - PASSED

ILAP Opposed:

  • LD 107: Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Specify the Qualifications of Electors - DEFEATED

  • LD 1340: An Act To Ensure Municipal Compliance with Federal Immigration Laws - DEFEATED


CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS

ILAP Supported:

  • LD 132: An Act To Implement the Attorney General's Recommendations on Data Collection in Order To Eliminate Profiling in Maine - PASSED

  • LD 320: An Act To Provide the Right to Counsel for Juveniles and Improve Due Process for Juveniles - PASSED

  • LD 417: An Act To Protect Maine's Drivers from Pretextual Traffic Stops - PASSED BUT VETOED BY GOVERNOR

  • LD 967: An Act To Make Possession of Scheduled Drugs for Personal Use a Civil Penalty - FAILED

  • LD 1478: An Act to Decriminalize Homelessness - PASSED

  • LD 1585: An Act To Increase Privacy and Security by Prohibiting the Use of Facial Surveillance by Certain Government Employees and Officials - PASSED

 

OTHER STATE BILLS

ILAP Supported:

  • LD 211: An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Access for Persons Experiencing Homelessness – CARRIED OVER

Advocacy in Action, Legislative TestimonyILAP MaineAdvocacy, Legislature, Testimony