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With ICE agents in Maine, many are concerned about what will, at the very least, be a disruption. Our senator, Susan Collins, has the power to change the way ICE conducts its business. She is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful positions in the Senate. That committee is in charge of how funds are dispersed.
There must be 60 votes in the Senate to pass a budget funding the Department of Homeland Security. That means that Collins can demand that: ICE agents cannot wear masks and must wear name tags; ICE agents cannot randomly approach Mainers and demand identification; ICE agents cannot use volatile measures to placate peaceful demonstration;, ICE agents cannot intimidate Mainers without cause; ICE agents cannot threaten Mainers who refuse to open their homes to illegal searches.
Collins should insist that ICE acts within the laws and obeys the Constitution that she swore to uphold.
Lisa Buck
Orono