Maine is set to become a de-facto sanctuary state for illegal immigrants in the final year of Democratic Governor Janet Mills’ term.
Mills, a two-term governor vying to defeat Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins during November’s midterm elections, declined to veto a bill limiting local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration authorities in December. Republicans and law enforcement groups argued the sanctuary state proposal will keep dangerous criminals on the street by shielding illegal immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.
“Limiting cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal authorities – a longstanding tradition due to Maine’s extensive foreign border – shows a reckless disregard for public safety and will put Maine’s public at risk,” Maine state House Republicans said in a statement. “By restricting law enforcement access to individuals already in custody, this law shields criminals and weakens efforts to prevent crime.”
The bill passed the Democratic-controlled state legislature in June with no Republican support. Mills did not weigh in at the time, despite law enforcement groups speaking out against the measure. She chose not to sign or veto the measure, effectively allowing the legislation to become law when the state legislature reconvened Wednesday.
Mills cited the Trump administration’s aggressive illegal immigration crackdown in an op-ed expressing her support for the bill, adding that the measure is “imperfect,” but necessary in her view.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to ICE’s [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] unacceptable actions, and so I have chosen to allow LD 1971 to become law,” Mills wrote.
She also highlighted her decision to repeal a 2011 executive order issued by then-Republican Gov. Paul LePage advocating for “enhanced cooperation” between state and federal law enforcement officials on immigration enforcement.
ICE director Todd Lyons blasted Mills’ decision that would effectively tie the hands of local law enforcement to assist federal authorities. The Trump administration has repeatedly sought to crack down on jurisdictions that limit assistance with immigration enforcement.
“Governor Mills and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens,” Lyons said in a statement. “It comes as no surprise that they would want to hamstring their law-enforcement from helping federal officers arrest rapists, murderers, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists.”
The overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants arrested during Trump’s first year in his second term have criminal histories, the Washington Examiner first reported. Of the 595,000 illegal immigrants ICE arrested between Jan. 20, 2025 and Dec. 11, 70%, or just over 415,000, have criminal convictions or pending criminal charges in the United States.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, also ripped Mills for refusing to veto the sanctuary state proposal. The NRSC is expected to aggressively defend Collins’ seat, which Democrats view as a must-win state to retake Senate control during the midterms.
“There is no excuse for allowing criminal illegal immigrants to wreak havoc on Maine’s communities and harm children,” NRSC regional press secretary Samantha Cantrell said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Mills did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Mills has also come under scrutiny for expanding taxpayer-funded health care to illegal immigrants during her tenure as governor.
Individuals under 21 and pregnant women are eligible for full Medicaid benefits, locally known as MaineCare, regardless of immigration status due to a bill Mills signed as governor. The Office of MaineCare Services uses the term “pregnant people” instead of pregnant women.
Mills was recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to enter the state’s 2026 Senate race and has the support of the Democratic Party’s establishment wing. She is facing a primary challenge from Bernie Sanders-backed oyster farmer Graham Platner, who is running to Mill’s left.
Though Mills has trailed Platner in several surveys despite serving as the Pine Tree State’s top-ranking Democrat, early polling of the contest has shown mixed results.
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