The 287(g) program allows local and state police to enter into agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), giving them the power to act like federal immigration agents. Under these agreements, police officers can question people about their immigration status, detain them for ICE, and even start deportation proceedings — all without proper federal oversight. Right now, the Wells Police Department in Maine has already signed a 287(g) agreement, making them the first in the state to take on this controversial and dangerous role. If we don't act, other departments could follow, putting the civil rights of all Mainers at risk.

Allowing 287(g) agreements in Maine undermines public safety and community trust. When local police are seen as extensions of ICE, entire communities — especially immigrant families — become too afraid to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or seek help in emergencies. This makes all of us less safe. Across the country, 287(g) agreements have led to racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and costly lawsuits. To make things worse, Maine taxpayers will end up footing the bill. Local law enforcement will divert public resources — funded by Maine residents — away from real community needs like crime prevention and emergency services, and toward federal immigration investigations that have nothing to do with keeping our towns and cities safe. Maine should not repeat these mistakes. Our police should be focused on protecting the communities they serve, not enforcing broken federal immigration policies.

We need a state law that prevents Maine’s state and local agencies from ever signing 287(g) agreements. Other states have already taken action to protect their residents: in California, the TRUST Act and the Values Act limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, effectively preventing 287(g) contracts. Illinois and Oregon have passed similar laws to stop local police from acting as immigration agents. Maine should join these states in standing up for civil rights and public safety. Wells should be the last town in Maine to enter into this harmful agreement, not the first of many. By banning these contracts statewide, Maine can protect the rights of all its residents, keep families together, and ensure our tax dollars are used to strengthen — not divide — our communities.

If you have the time, please consider reading some of the following resources that explain 287(g) agreements and the negative effects they can have on communities just like ours:

American Immigration Council - https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/287g-program-immigration

Immigrant Legal Resource Center - https://www.ilrc.org/practitioners/national-map-287g-agreements

American Civil Liberties Union - https://www.aclu.org/publications/license-abuse-how-ices-287g-program-empowers-racist-sheriffs