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Bill > LD1971
ME LD1971
ME LD1971An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies with Federal Immigration Authorities
summary
Introduced
05/13/2025
05/13/2025
In Committee
05/13/2025
05/13/2025
Crossed Over
06/17/2025
06/17/2025
Passed
06/18/2025
06/18/2025
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill enacts provisions to clarify the relationship of state and local law enforcement agencies, including correctional facilities, and state employees with federal immigration authorities. The bill: 1. Prohibits a law enforcement agency from stopping, investigating, interrogating, arresting or detaining a person for immigration enforcement purposes, including in response to a hold request, immigration detainer or administrative warrant issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security, or allowing the United States Department of Homeland Security access to inmates or inmate information or providing law enforcement agency resources or personnel to assist immigration enforcement activities; 2. Clarifies that a law enforcement agency upon a request from the United States Department of Homeland Security may arrest and detain a person and perform other law enforcement duties due to suspected criminal activity or other reasons not solely based on the person's immigration status; 3. Establishes the permissible scope of collaboration of a law enforcement agency with a joint law enforcement task force; 4. Requires a law enforcement agency to release as soon as possible and detain no longer than 48 hours a person determined to be held solely for immigration enforcement purposes; 5. Establishes duties and prohibitions for law enforcement agencies regarding immigration issues of inmates, including requiring the agency to inform an inmate of the inmate's rights prior to interview by an immigration authority and whether the agency intends to comply with a hold request and prohibiting an agency from restricting access to educational programming and good conduct credits or determining an inmate's custodial status based upon the inmate's immigration status; and 6. Prohibits state employees other than law enforcement officers from inquiring into immigration status unless the inquiry is required by law or necessary to provide the service sought by the resident.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive restrictions on how state and local law enforcement agencies can interact with federal immigration authorities. It prohibits law enforcement agencies from using their resources to enforce federal immigration laws, including stopping, investigating, or detaining individuals solely for immigration purposes. The bill defines key terms like "immigration authority," "hold request," and "immigration enforcement" and creates specific guidelines for how law enforcement can and cannot interact with federal immigration officials. Agencies are generally barred from asking about immigration status, providing personal inmate information, or transferring individuals to immigration authorities without a court order or criminal warrant. However, the bill does allow some limited exceptions, such as responding to requests for criminal history information, participating in joint law enforcement task forces, and arresting or detaining individuals who meet certain serious criminal criteria. For inmates, the bill requires agencies to inform individuals of their rights before immigration interviews, provide written consent forms, and ensure that educational and rehabilitative opportunities are not restricted based on immigration status. The legislation also mandates that agencies keep detailed records of any immigration-related hold requests and interactions. Critically, the bill aims to prevent local law enforcement from acting as de facto immigration enforcement agents while maintaining public safety considerations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Deqa Dhalac (D)*,
Mana Abdi (D),
Flavia DeBrito (D),
Tavis Hasenfus (D),
Adam Lee (D),
Rafael Macias (D),
Ambureen Rana (D),
Eleanor Sato (D),
Rachel Talbot Ross (D),
Yusuf Yusuf (D),
Last Action
HELD BY THE GOVERNOR. (on 07/08/2025)
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1971&snum=132 |
| House: C-A (H-751) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1315&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-751) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN197102.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1315&item=1&snum=132 |
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