Maine Sanctuary Policy and Local Immigration Authority

Maine has not adopted a statewide statute preempting municipal sanctuary policies. LD 1259 in the 130th Legislature sought to prohibit local sanctuary ordinances and require cooperation with federal immigration authorities, but the bill did not become law. Several Maine municipalities including Portland have adopted policies limiting local police involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement. Title 30-A grants municipalities home rule authority for local public safety policy. Federal law under 8 USC 1373 still prohibits local rules barring sharing of citizenship information with federal authorities.

No state penalties exist for municipal sanctuary policies; federal grant conditions and 8 USC 1373 information-sharing rules may still apply to noncomplying jurisdictions.