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LD 1971 was passed by both chambers of the Maine Legislature in June. Under LD 1971, Maine law enforcement agencies would no longer be allowed to arrest or detain a person solely for immigration purposes. The legislation also bars correctional facilities from informing ICE that a person who may be undocumented is being held at that facility.
I believe this legislature, with limited exception, is a disgrace, as is the governor and the rest of the lawmakers who passed this bill. While a transplant from another state, I’m ashamed to say I’m from here because of those policies.
If someone is here illegally, and any type of ICE retainer is issued, they must be held for an ICE pickup. No sanctuary should be given. Illegal is illegal and I believe they should be removed. Anyone directing otherwise, is or should be in violation of federal law and should be treated accordingly.
However, in this state I fear it will never happen until the left loses control of the ability to run this state and the majority of those with any form of common sense can change how Maine is run.
I urge any area where ICE is working to ignore LD 1971 and for law enforcement to do its job and turn them over to ICE officers so they can do theirs.
Michael Fullmer
East Machias