On June 18, the Maine House and Senate passed LD 1971. The bill clarifies the relationship of state and local law enforcement agencies with federal immigration authorities, and “prohibits local law enforcement agency from stopping, investigating, interrogating, arresting or detaining a person for immigration enforcement purposes.”

LD 1971 ensures that our local law enforcement agencies’ limited resources are focused on protecting our communities, and it lets federal agencies (like ICE) use the nearly $170 billion recently allocated to enforce the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Yet, LD 1971 is still sitting on Gov. Mills’ desk, despite the urgent requirement for clarity for our law enforcement officials. This bill is clear, and so is the state’s necessity to reaffirm our commitment to the needs of our communities. So why this hesitation?

It certainly didn’t escape Gov. Mills’ attention that the Trump administration is using its immense resources to establish a police state under the guise of addressing an immigration problem. Legitimate immigration issues do not require masked agents showing up in unmarked vehicles, clad in battle ready gear, snatching people off the street.

This is a strategy that aims to inspire fear in immigrants and in the American population at large. It’s putting boots on the ground in every state in an unprecedented show of force that belies the stated purpose of getting immigration under control.

So, where is the governor’s “I’ll see you in court” resolve that Mainers need and deserve in these fraught times? Janet Mills needs to sign LD 1971 into law!

Christian Léger
Bath