Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is standing by her decision to halt the issuance of unmarked license plates to federal agencies — a decision that has caused Republican lawmakers to consider impeaching her.

“My office will never stand idly by while the constitutional rights of Mainers are being trampled on,” Bellows said Wednesday. “We feel very strongly about protecting the rights of every Mainer and upholding the Constitution, and we won’t be complicit in any illegal or unconstitutional activities by the federal government.”

The secretary of state’s office last month stopped issuing the plates to federal agents amid an increase in activity in the state by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bellows said at the time that she had concerns that the plates could be used for “lawless purposes” following reports of abuses of power in operations in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Bellows said she has signed off on a new procedure for her office to resume the issuance of the undercover plates. Under the new policy, federal agents who want the plates will have to check a box certifying that they won’t be used for civil immigration enforcement.

Bellows also said recently that she was doxed and her personal information was spread online because of her position on ICE.

On Jan. 21, Republican leaders in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives wrote to Democratic leaders expressing concerns about Bellows’ decision on the undercover plates.

“We respectfully request that the Legislature consider all measures to hold the Secretary accountable for her actions including, but not limited to, the establishment of a special investigative committee or impeachment proceedings,” the letter said.

Republican leaders did not respond to voice and text messages Wednesday asking if they plan to move forward with impeachment proceedings. Maine law only allows impeachment for “a misdemeanor in office,” and any impeachment efforts against Bellows, a Democrat, would be unlikely to succeed in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Bellows said Wednesday she would be surprised if Republicans follow up on the matter.

“They know that what ICE did here in Maine was unacceptable and went way too far,” she said. “They also know Mainers of all political backgrounds were horrified by the abuses of power, and I received a lot of positive feedback from people across the spectrum about my decision.”

Bellows’ gubernatorial campaign sent an impeachment-themed fundraising email Wednesday urging supporters to donate.

“Republicans are trying to punish me by bringing impeachment proceedings against me. I won’t back down, but…I need your help,” the message read.

If lawmakers move ahead with an impeachment effort, it wouldn’t be the first time Republicans have tried to oust Bellows, who has served as Maine’s secretary of state since 2021.

In 2024, former Rep. John Andrews, R-Paris, filed a resolution to impeach Bellows after she decided to bar former President Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot because of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The House rejected the resolution 80-60.