Action 138 - Call Janet! AGAIN!
Background: ICE has been behaving in a way in which Mainers, with our “live and let live” ethos, do not approve. Our local law enforcement officers must not be forced to follow suit. The Legislature passed a bill, LD 1971, which would set some controls on how our law enforcement officers respond to ICE’s overreach. The bill was not unanimous but it did pass both chambers. (1) For a text of the bill, see (2). The arguments against LD 1971 seemed to reflect a fear that the Trump administration would withhold funding or retaliate in some other illegal manner. History shows us that cowardice in in the face of an authoritarian power grab is inevitably a losing proposition.
It’s been noted that ICE tactics resemble those of secret police in historically dystopian regimes: “Masks. Civilian clothes. No badge. No nametag. No warrant. No ID. Just unmarked cars and faces hidden behind tactical fabric. A vision straight out of every authoritarian playbook ever written.” (3)
Action: Call Governor Mills office at 207-287-3531. Make a separate call from Action 137. Urge her to sign LD 1971.
Beyond that, consider the following going forward, if you see masked, armed men in public with no visible identification:
§ Call 911. Say you’re afraid. Report the location. It’s been reported that thugs are posing as ICE. Recall that nutcase in Minnesota who murdered lawmakers while posing as a law enforcement officer. See (4, 5, 6)
§ Document. Film. Photograph. Take down license plates. Capture what you can.
§ Post your findings on social media, and consider “outing” the individuals if you have certain knowledge of who they are. (3)
Urgency: Call Janet Monday unless there are news reports that she has already signed.
Extra Credit: (1) https://www.pressherald.com/2025/06/18/maine-lawmakers-pass-bill-limiting-police-interaction-with-federal-immigration-authorities/
(2) text of bill: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?paper=HP1315&snum=132&PID=0