Maine's three new ICE Out laws are now in effect, giving our communities important new protections from reckless and dangerous federal immigration operations.
Now, we're making sure state and local officials are following the new ICE Out of Policing, ICE Out of Our Homes, and ICE Out of Schools and State Healthcare laws.
Here's how, and what you can do to help:
First, we sent letters to hundreds of public entities responsible for following the laws. This includes police and sheriff's departments, housing authorities, public schools, state agencies, public colleges and universities, state libraries, and state healthcare facilities.
Our letters explain each entity's responsibilities under the new laws and provide guidance to help public officials understand and follow them.
Next, we're continuing to use public records requests to find out if these laws are being followed. Before the new ICE Out laws took effect, we sent dozens of records requests to law enforcement agencies throughout the state and found evidence of widespread collaboration with federal immigration agencies. Under the new ICE Out laws, almost all of that collaboration is now illegal.
Digging into public records will help us monitor how agencies are putting these new requirements into practice and identify any violations.
Contact Public Officials, Ask Candidates for Elected Office How They'll Uphold the Laws
We'll share updates as we track compliance. In the meantime, you can help us hold state and local officials accountable, too. Contact your city councilors or town board members, state representative, and state senator to ask how the officials they oversee are implementing the ICE Out laws.
This year, every seat in the Maine State Legislature is up for election, there's an open race for governor, and many towns and cities have local elections. Before you vote, find out where the candidates stand on these important protections, and be sure to ask them about it when you see them out campaigning.
Join the Fight
You can also sign our petition to show public support for the ICE Out of Maine laws and receive specific ICE Out updates. By joining this fight, we'll keep you in the loop and let you know when there are local actions you can take in your home community. You'll also help us show public officials just how many people want these laws fully implemented from day one.
Our communities are stronger and safer without ICE. Thank you for helping us protect our communities and ensure that our local resources are not used to support a lawless deportation campaign.
We'll keep you updated as this work continues.
