The Golden Door: January 2026

ILAP remains devastated at the news of the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Our hearts are with Alex’s loved ones and the city of Minneapolis. We condemn the federal government’s brutal occupation of Minneapolis and send unwavering solidarity to the city’s immigrant communities and allies.

The Golden Door, ILAP NewsContact@ ILAP MaineJanuary 30, 2026Maine Legislature, Civil Legal Aid, Enforcement, ICE, Advocacy, Youth, SIJS, Testimony, Supreme Court, TPS, Budget, Work Permit, Event, Habeas Corpus, Labor Rights, Deportation, LGBTQ+, Hiring

The Golden Door: December 2025

In a December 15 op-ed in the Portland Press Herald, Governor Mills made the major announcement that she will let LD 1971 become law. ILAP applauds the decision, and the work and leadership of Representatives Dhalac and Rana, and so many others across the state.

The Golden Door, ILAP NewsContact@ ILAP MaineDecember 31, 2025Maine Legislature, Civil Legal Aid, Enforcement, ICE, Advocacy, Youth, SIJS, Testimony, Supreme Court, TPS, Budget, Work Permit, Event, Habeas Corpus, Labor Rights, Deportation, LGBTQ+, Hiring

How police discretion has contributed to immigration arrests, and how that’ll change

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project has heard this fear from clients firsthand.

“People are afraid to leave their homes. They are afraid to go to work. They’re afraid to be on the roadways. They are afraid to send their children to school,” Parisio said. “They’re afraid to call the police for help in any situation, whether that’s protection from domestic violence, coming forward about labor exploitation and trafficking, serving as witnesses in criminal cases.”

Press MentionsJolene McGowanDecember 18, 2025Enforcement, ICE, Detention, Maine Legislature

Gov. Mills OKs restrictions on local involvement in immigration enforcement

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project confirmed to Maine Morning Star that its clients have been denied the right to have their attorneys present at appointments at the field office over the past few months, including during check-in appointments for people who are in immigration court proceedings. Arrests at such proceedings have been reported elsewhere across the country.

Press MentionsJolene McGowanDecember 17, 2025Enforcement, ICE, Detention, Maine Legislature

The Golden Door: November 2025

Here in Maine, the idea that asylum seekers should be able to work while waiting for a decision on their applications has bipartisan support at both the state and federal levels. This policy helps individuals and families find stability and security, while providing vast benefits to communities, businesses, and the U.S. economy at large.

The Golden Door, ILAP NewsContact@ ILAP MaineNovember 28, 2025Maine Legislature, Civil Legal Aid, Enforcement, ICE, Advocacy, Youth, SIJS, Testimony, Supreme Court, TPS, Budget, Work Permit, Event, Habeas Corpus, Labor Rights, Deportation, LGBTQ+, Hiring

Rockland immigration ordinance proposal continues to December meeting

“This informal assistance is the vast majority of the immigration assistance that we are seeing here in the state,” said Lisa Parisio. There is no centralized tracking method for seeing the full extent of these incidents, according to Parisio.

Press MentionsJolene McGowanNovember 15, 2025Enforcement, ICE, Detention, Maine Legislature

The Golden Door: October 2025

Here is an update on recent state and federal activities impacting the lives of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Maine.