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Michael Capeci is chair of the Bangor GOP. He wrote this column on behalf of the Bangor GOP.
Maine lawmakers recently passed a controversial bill, LD 1971, that could severely undermine local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. While supporters argue that the bill protects workers and immigrant communities, the reality, as I and the Bangor GOP see it, is that it transforms Maine into a de facto sanctuary state — putting all Mainers at risk.
At its core, LD 1971 prohibits local and state law enforcement from detaining individuals based solely on their immigration status or responding to immigration detainers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These detainers are often issued for individuals already in custody who may be in the country illegally or are suspected of committing other crimes. Instead of cooperating with federal authorities, local officers would be prohibited from acting unless a criminal offense is involved.
The bill also includes a 48-hour limit on detentions tied to immigration status, regardless of whether federal authorities need more time to investigate a potential threat. This artificial deadline can force law enforcement to release individuals who may be wanted for deportation or further investigation, without adequate coordination with federal officials.
By passing this bill, Maine lawmakers have effectively made our state a sanctuary for individuals who may be subject to deportation or investigation by federal immigration authorities. Sanctuary states or cities are those that limit or prohibit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and they have sparked significant debate across the country. While sanctuary policies are often justified as a way to protect immigrant communities, they come with a grave cost: They create environments where individuals who may pose a risk to public safety or national security are essentially allowed to go free.
Sanctuary policies can put law enforcement in an impossible position. They may create legal and practical barriers to effective policing by preventing officers from collaborating with federal agencies when they have valid concerns about an individual’s immigration status. The idea that we should allow individuals to remain in our communities without cooperating with federal authorities, even when their immigration status is in question, undermines the very idea of public safety.
LD 1971 could tie the hands of local officers who are trying to keep us safe. It encourages a division between local and federal law enforcement and may make it harder to apprehend some dangerous individuals who may be involved in criminal activity or have a history of violating the law. By limiting the power of police to respond to federal requests, we believe this bill creates unnecessary risks for everyone and should not become law.
Supporters of the bill claim it is about building trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. But immigrants, regardless of their legal status, deserve the same protection under the law as everyone else. Building trust doesn’t mean ignoring the law — it means fostering cooperation and fairness for all. Maine’s law enforcement officers should not be forced to choose between their duties to protect our communities and political agendas that ignore the practical needs of policing.
The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature by a narrow margin, and now Gov. Janet Mills, who has held the bill, has the power to veto it, sign it or allow it to become law without her signature. We believe she should veto it, not only to protect the safety of all Mainers but to avoid making Maine a sanctuary state, which we think would put the interests of a few over the safety and well-being of the many.
Sanctuary policies can lead to increased risks for public safety, with dangerous individuals slipping through the cracks of the system. Maine should not go down this path. Mills must act in the best interests of our communities and veto LD 1971. We urge our fellow Mainers to urge the governor to veto this bill.
