Dear Editor:

The 132nd Legislature enacted a bill that effectively made "Maine, A Sanctuary State". 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", prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with United States Department of Homeland Security (USDHS); limits collaboration with a joint law enforcement task force; requires law enforcement agencies to release persons held solely for immigration enforcement purposes.

Jean-Marie Caterina co-chair, Legislative Policy Committee, Maine County Commissioners Association, testified on 5/20/25, "Codifying a statewide prohibition is unnecessary and risks undermining the ability of local officials to respond appropriately to complex situations." 

Sheriff Ken Mason, Chairman of the Maine Sheriffs Association’s Legislative Policy Committee, testified on 5/19/25, "As sheriffs, we cannot and should not be forced to pick and choose which state and federal laws to enforce. Nor should we be forced to not cooperate with our federal law enforcement partners. State and local police have no business in unilaterally enforcing immigration law, but standing in the way of immigration enforcement without some constitutional right to do so is wrong."

This bill was enacted in the State House on 6/18/25 with House Roll Call 574 (Yeas 74 – Nays 73) and became law on 1/11/26 without the Governor's signature. Wayne Farrin, District 47 Representative voted YEA in favor of the bill. A case in point, where one vote made Maine a Sanctuary State.

Leaving criminal illegal aliens on the street does not enhance public safety. Maine is protecting criminals by hindering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from exercising their legal duties.

Edward J. Polewarczyk

Wiscasset