Update
LD 1971 is sitting on the governor's desk, most likely until the next legislative session in January. Maybe sooner?
Flood her office telling her to veto this bill that the Democrat legislature passed to make Maine a sanctuary state!
Please note: We posted about this previously, once after it was voted on in committee (June 14), and again based on the bill's progress in front of the House and Senate (June 18). At this point, you can still voice your concerns with the governor.
Here's what you need to know in a nutshell:
🧾 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.
💰 Why Maine Taxpayers Should Be Concerned
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.
You can read the bill here: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=132&paper=&paperld=l&ld=1971
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
This is what a fellow member sent to Governor Mills. Yours can be as simple as "I oppose LD 1971, and it “ought not to pass.”
I oppose 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 is designed to harbor/hide the status of illegal aliens, and make Maine a sanctuary state for illegal aliens. Why would sane, legal Maine residents ever support this bill?
I oppose LD 1971, and it “ought not to pass.
If you want to send a more detailed message to Governor Mills, feel free to use the below or something of your own (recommended). Again, your message can be as simple as "I oppose LD 1971, and it “ought not to pass.”
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]
Background
Credit for sharing the above goes to multiple community members, including 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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