January 1, Maine Limits Police Ties to ICE Ahead of 2026 Vote

Wyatt’s Take

• Maine is putting up new limits on how police work with ICE agents.
• Governor Janet Mills says she’s letting a bill become law that holds back some cooperation with federal immigration officials.
• This is heating up the immigration debate in the Northeast with the midterms coming up.

Maine’s governor will let a new law kick in that restricts when state and local authorities can help ICE. Cops now need a criminal investigation reason, not just immigration status, to cooperate.

Governor Janet Mills called the bill “imperfect” but said Maine law allows her to let it stand if she doesn’t veto it. She claims it keeps Maine police focused on state laws, not federal immigration.

“As a former District Attorney and Attorney General and now as Governor, I carefully considered this bill. I’ve weighed my concerns that it imposes confusing restraints on law enforcement about when they can and can’t interact with Federal authorities against the extraordinary and horrifying actions of a Federal agency that has been weaponized by the President to undermine the rights of us all. And I also agree with the bill’s aim of ensuring that Maine law enforcement are enforcing Maine laws, not Federal immigration law,” Mills wrote in an op-ed.

“LD 1971 is imperfect, and we should not need it, but the times call for it. We cannot turn a blind eye to ICE’s unacceptable actions, and so I have chosen to allow LD 1971 to become law,” she continued.

She also tossed out an older order that helped Maine police work closely with federal agents on immigration.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee blasted Mills, saying this puts Mainers last. They posted, “Radical Janet Mills is trying to BAN Maine law enforcement from working with ICE so that criminals illegal immigrants can stay in the state. Mills continues to put Mainers last EVERY TIME.”

The White House also weighed in. Abigail Jackson said, “Every locality should be willing to cooperate with ICE officers to get dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of their communities. It’s common sense.”

This fight over immigration is now making big waves well beyond the southern border. ICE has already run big operations in Boston and New England, which has fired up both sides.

In nearby Massachusetts, an anti-ICE activist announced a challenge against a top Democrat in Congress, pushing the issue even harder into the spotlight.

“From organizing renters’ rights in Waltham to standing up to big tech and now resisting Trump’s ICE, I’ve seen what’s possible when we organize our communities and stay true to our principles,” said Jonathan Paz in his campaign launch video.

With midterms around the corner, these new state moves and pushback are putting the spotlight on border security and law enforcement in places folks might not expect.

Wyatt Matters

Folks in the heartland know that secure borders and law enforcement cooperation keep towns safe. When leaders make it harder for local police to work with ICE, it can lead to more problems on Main Street. Middle America values accountability, public safety, and the rule of law—no matter where you live in this country.

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