Background
This is not just another bill. With the narrow passage of LD 1971 in the Maine House (74–73) and approval by the Maine Senate by a vote of 21-14, our state is one step closer to becoming a sanctuary state — one that openly defies federal immigration enforcement.
While the bill is framed as a measure to protect workers, its actual text does something far more radical: it blocks Maine’s police and jails from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, even in serious cases. If enacted, LD 1971 could place Maine in direct conflict with federal immigration law, burden local taxpayers, and threaten the constitutional balance of power between states and the federal government.
This is about more than politics — it’s about defending the rule of law and protecting the rights and wallets of Maine citizens and legal residents.
You can read the bill here: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=132&paper=&paperld=l&ld=1971
🧾 What LD 1971 Does
Under this bill, local and state law enforcement would be prohibited from:
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Detaining individuals based on an ICE hold request — unless there’s a criminal warrant.
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Sharing non-public information with federal immigration authorities, including release dates, addresses, or identifying details.
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Cooperating with ICE or DHS in routine immigration enforcement activities — even if it involves prior deportations or serious immigration violations.
Meanwhile, it imposes new record-keeping duties and data-tracking burdens on local jails and police departments — with no funding provided to help cover those costs.
We believe this bill may be in direct conflict with federal law and the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause — and puts Maine on a dangerous path toward undermining our nation’s legal balance.
💰 Why Maine Taxpayers Should Be Concerned
With property taxes up over 30% in many towns, income tax increases on the horizon, and school budgets growing fast, Mainers are already financially strained. LD 1971 would:
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Make Maine a more attractive destination for those here unlawfully, which could increase demand for public services like education, healthcare, and housing.
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Burden local agencies with new administrative tasks, consuming resources meant for public safety.
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Offer no funding mechanism or cost safeguards — leaving towns and legal residents to absorb the impact.
This is not compassionate governance — it’s unfunded state overreach that risks both community trust and financial stability.
⚖️ What About Federal Law?
Federal immigration law — including 8 U.S.C. § 1373 — prohibits states from blocking the sharing of immigration status with federal authorities. While LD 1971 claims to comply, it walks a thin line, and its practical effect is to hamstring federal enforcement in Maine.
Even worse, it sets up a constitutional conflict under the Supremacy Clause, which holds that federal law overrides conflicting state law.
If the federal government does not intervene, Maine could become a national test case for legal resistance to immigration enforcement.
🕰️ Where Things Stand Now
The bill is now headed to Governor Janet Mills’ desk for a final decision. She can:
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Sign the bill into law,
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Veto it, or
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Allow it to become law without her signature after 10 days (excluding Sundays).
This is the final critical moment. We urge every Mainer to contact Governor Mills immediately and respectfully ask her to veto LD 1971 in order to:
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Protect our communities from unfunded mandates,
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Uphold the constitutional balance of state and federal power,
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Ensure that immigration enforcement remains a federal—not local—responsibility.
📣 What You Can Do Right Now
You can still speak out now before the Governor signs this bill into law. You can reach out to the following:
🏛️ Governor Janet Mills’ Office - to ask the Governor to veto this bill.
🏛️The Department of Justice - to let them know about your concerns with regard to the potential infringement on federal law.
🏛️ Maine's Federal Delegation - to request federal review of state policies that defy federal law, push for accountability through congressional oversight, and advocate for the protection of public safety and the constitutional order. Let them know you expect their leadership on this critical issue.
Please see the Contact Details and Templates sections below for more details and drafts you can use for your outreach.
🧭 This is not about politics. This is about preserving the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and public safety for all Mainers — regardless of background.
Please note: We just recently published a call-to-action about this after it was voted on in committee. The above is an update based on the bill's progress in front of the House and Senate.
Action Time-Window
⚠️ Please consider taking action now!
📍 Governor Janet Mills
Ask her to veto LD 1971 to protect Maine’s fiscal health and legal integrity.
📞 (207) 287-3531
📧 Contact Form
📬 Mail: Office of Governor Janet T. Mills
1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Suggested Message
When reaching out to Governor Mills, feel free to use the below or something of your own (recommended).
Subject: Please Veto LD 1971 — Protect Maine’s Communities and Constitutional Order
Dear Governor Mills,
I’m writing to respectfully urge you to veto LD 1971, “An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies with Federal Immigration Authorities.”
This bill may have good intentions, but it goes too far. It would severely restrict cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, even in lawful and serious situations, unless strict conditions are met. I am concerned that LD 1971:
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Conflicts with federal immigration law and may violate the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause,
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Imposes unfunded mandates on Maine towns, jails, and police departments — at a time when local taxpayers are already overburdened,
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Makes Maine more vulnerable to becoming a sanctuary state, drawing greater demand on public services like education, healthcare, and housing,
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Erodes public trust by putting ideology ahead of public safety and legal accountability.
Maine’s hardworking citizens — including legal immigrants, green card holders, and visa residents — are already paying the price through increased property taxes, income taxes, and local spending. This bill shifts even more cost and risk onto them without providing a clear benefit or legal certainty.
Please protect our communities, uphold the rule of law, and stand with those of us who believe immigration enforcement should remain a federal responsibility — not a state liability.
I respectfully urge you to veto LD 1971.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Town, Maine]
[Optional: Your Email or Phone Number]
📍 U.S. Department of Justice
Request a review of LD 1971 for potential federal conflicts and constitutional violations.
📞 Call: (202) 514-2000
💬 Online Form: justice.gov webform
📧 Email: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
📬 Mail: U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Suggested Message
Feel free to use the below or something of your own (recommended) in your outreach to the Department of Justice.
I am a concerned citizen of the State of Maine. I urge the U.S. Department of Justice to review and, if necessary, intervene in the implementation of LD 1971 - “An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies with Federal Immigration Authorities,“ which limits cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. I believe this bill may violate federal immigration law and the U.S. Constitution, and imposes unfair and unfunded burdens on Maine communities and taxpayers.
Thank you.
[Your Name]
[Your Town]
📍 Maine’s Federal Representatives
Urge them to speak out and press for DOJ involvement.
🏛️ Rep. Chellie Pingree (District 1)
Website: https://pingree.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-6116
Online Form: https://pingree.house.gov/contact/
🏛️ Rep. Jared Golden (District 2)
Website: https://golden.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-6306
Online Form: https://golden.house.gov/contact/
🏛️ Senator Angus King
Website: https://www.king.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Online Form: https://www.king.senate.gov/contact
🏛️ Senator Susan Collins
Website: https://www.collins.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-2523
Online Form: https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins
Suggested Message
When reaching out to our Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress, feel free to use the below or something of your own (recommended).
Dear Senator/Representative [name],
I am a Maine resident concerned about LD 1971, which recently passed the Maine House and significantly restricts cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. While it allows cooperation in limited criminal cases, it prohibits even voluntary assistance in many lawful civil immigration matters — including detainers, information sharing, and coordination with ICE without a court order.
I believe this bill risks undermining federal immigration law, places an unfunded burden on our communities, and may violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Please urge the Department of Justice to review its legality and ensure the rule of law is upheld in Maine.
Thank you.
[Your Name]
[Your Town]
Credit for sharing the above goes to multiple community members, including Jeremy (@ptpme23) and Danny (@DannyEmerson61) from the South Berwick Republican Committee (@BerwickSouth).
Disclaimer
A community member has shared this personal template for those who wish to express their views on the bill(s) mentioned above. This template is not an official PTP position, and using it is entirely up to you. Pine Tree Patriots encourages civic participation but does not endorse or support specific actions or policies. Please remember this is an individual initiative.
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