ILAP Applauds Governor Mills On Decision To Let Bill To Protect Maine Residents and Resources from the Federal Administration’s Mass Deportation Agenda Become Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2025
CONTACT: press@ilapmaine.org 

Maine – The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) applauds Governor Mills for her decision and announcement that she will allow LD 1971 to become law when the Maine legislative session starts in January 2026. LD 1971 will provide Maine’s immigrant communities and the entire state with critically-needed protection against the Trump administration’s sweeping mass deportation agenda. ILAP also applauds Governor Mills’ announcement that she will repeal a 2011 executive order that called for enhanced cooperation between state and federal officials on immigration enforcement. ILAP acknowledges and deeply appreciates the tenacious advocacy of directly impacted immigrant communities and allies across Maine, as well as the leadership of Maine State Representatives Dhalac and Rana, and many other state legislators, in making LD 1971 law and repealing the executive order. 

Sue Roche, ILAP’s Executive Director, said: “LD 1971 draws a clear line between the role of Maine’s state and local police and the Trump administration’s political immigration enforcement agenda. It ensures that Maine’s resources aren’t being diverted to further terrorize individuals and families, rip workers out of their jobs, destroy public trust, and create chaos and fear. Ultimately, this law is about prioritizing and protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of all of us.” 

As immigration enforcement escalated in Maine over the past year, the major role that Maine’s state and local law enforcement are playing – and the urgent need for LD 1971 – became clear. While the total number of people who were handed over to immigration officers by Maine law enforcement based on their suspected immigration status alone is unknown, ILAP tracked 22 minor traffic stops where at least 50 people were handed over since March 2025. Those handed over included not only drivers, but also passengers, bystanders, and even children and car accident victims. Many of these people were known to be in lawful immigration processes, have valid work permits, and have no criminal histories. LD 1971 addresses these handovers, instructing Maine law enforcement to focus on enforcing criminal and traffic laws and not use their resources to assist the federal administration in reaching its immigration enforcement quotas at any cost.  

ILAP is also aware of people who have been held in Maine jails past their release dates for ICE on detainers. Detainers are nonmandatory requests made by ICE that have been found to be unconstitutional. LD 1971 would also prohibit jails from holding people based on ICE detainers, upholding their constitutional rights. 

Lisa Parisio, ILAP’s Policy Director said: “There has been an undeniable groundswell of support and action from every corner of our state calling for this bill to become law. Maine people clearly understand that the administration’s enforcement agenda has no legitimate public policy basis and is built on false narratives seeking to criminalize and dehumanize immigrant communities. In addition to protecting the rights and safety of Maine residents, this law sends a far-reaching message that immigrants are valued, respected, and needed,and that our collective voices and communities are powerful and we can make change.”