The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
State Rep. Michael Soboleski is a Republican from Phillips and the founder of Maine Issues & Action PAC (MiaPAC), a political action committee that advocates for individual liberty and limited government.
This time last year, GOP candidates like myself shared our vision with voters at parades, on front porches, and in meeting halls across Maine. We did our best to contrast our vision with our opponents, describing how, in our view, we’re just one legislative session away from becoming a sanctuary state.
As Democrats plan to re-purpose the second regular session — meant only for budgetary matters and emergencies — the people of Maine deserve to know how close we are to following the lead of California and Massachusetts. And it’s not just about public safety — sanctuary-style policies also mean Maine taxpayers could be stuck paying the bill for housing, food, medical care, and schools, while many families are already being taxed out of their homes.
The Legislature, controlled by Democrats, has already passed LD 1971, a bill that would severely restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gov. Janet Mills has delayed her decision until the next legislative session, but it is very possible that Maine could become a de facto sanctuary state by the time the 2026 midterm elections roll around.
Our state Constitution makes clear that the Maine Legislature’s Second Regular Session — the “short session” in even-numbered years — is meant only for budgetary matters, bills held by the governor, true emergencies, or unfinished business. It was not intended as a second chance for controversial legislation. In the early days of statehood, the Legislature sometimes didn’t even convene in a given year if there was no urgent work. Contrast that restraint — something we could use a lot more of today — with today’s overreach: declaring an “emergency” to justify a bill that could tie the hands of police and changes how our state interacts with our federal law enforcement partners.
LD 1971 would bar Maine law enforcement from detaining someone solely at ICE’s request and would prevent county jails from cooperating with ICE. In practice, it essentially tells police to look the other way — even when cooperation could protect the public.
Maine should reject becoming a sanctuary state, and I’ll be working each and every day as a member of Maine’s House of Representatives to stand up to this nonsense.
Sanctuary policies can prevent police from working with ICE on cases involving human trafficking, drug smuggling, or violent crime. That creates dangerous gaps criminals can exploit. Too many families are already grappling with the opioid crisis, so why make it harder for law enforcement to coordinate across agencies and keep our communities safe?
Immigration laws are federal laws. By blocking cooperation, Maine would be signaling that some laws can be ignored based on political preference. That sets a dangerous precedent. If state leaders can pick and choose which federal laws to follow, what’s next?
When ICE is prevented from taking custody of undocumented individuals, local governments are often left holding the bag. That can mean longer jail stays, higher correctional costs, and more strain on county budgets. Sanctuary policies don’t save money — they may pass the bill on to Mainers.
Maine has welcomed thousands of legal immigrants who followed the rules, filled critical workforce shortages, and enriched our communities. Sanctuary status blurs the line between legal immigration and unlawful presence. That disrespects those who played by the rules and creates resentment instead of unity.
During the public hearing for LD 1971, opponents of sanctuary cities warned that expedited removals already exist for those without proper documents. Blocking cooperation likely ensures that individuals who break immigration laws, which are sometimes committed alongside other crimes, slip through the cracks.
I’ll be the first to say that Maine needs more workers, young families, and the vitality that newcomers to our state can bring, legally. But there is a difference between welcoming legal immigrants and turning Maine into a sanctuary for unlawful behavior.
If Gov. Mills lets this bill become law, I believe it will cement her legacy as being complicit in progressive social experiments — the kind of “woke” policymaking that puts ideology ahead of our safety.
In my view, the people of Maine deserve safe communities where law enforcement can collaborate with federal partners. Those of us serving in elected office should recognize how close Maine is to becoming a sanctuary state, and the importance of standing up for the rule of law.
