Across America, a disturbing pattern has taken hold among Democratic governors. They seem far more interested in shielding people who broke our laws to get here than protecting the citizens they swore to serve. President Trump’s administration has worked relentlessly to restore order at our borders and remove dangerous criminals from our communities. Yet certain state leaders have decided that defying federal law enforcement is their new favorite hobby.
The sanctuary state movement—once confined to notorious places like California—has now crept into regions thousands of miles from the southern border. These politicians love to talk about compassion while creating safe havens for criminal aliens who victimize American communities. The latest example comes from an unlikely place. And honestly, the governor’s own words make her position impossible to defend.
From the Daily Wire:
Maine will be limiting how its state and local authorities interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, further amplifying how immigration is becoming a key issue in northeastern races in the 2026 midterm elections.
Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat running for Senate, announced on Tuesday that she would allow LD 1971 to go into effect next month. The proposal allows for authorities to comply with federal immigration officials only for an additional criminal probe, not just for immigration reasons, according to Bangor Daily News.
Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat eyeing a Senate seat, just allowed a bill to become law that restricts state and local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Let that sink in. The legislation, LD 1971, permits authorities to work with ICE only when there’s an additional criminal investigation—not simply to enforce immigration law. Mills couldn’t even bring herself to sign this radical measure outright. Instead, she let it take effect through legislative procedure. Courage, this is not.
A Woke Governor’s Calculated Defiance
Here’s what makes Mills’ decision particularly infuriating. She openly admits the bill is “imperfect” and creates “confusing restraints” for law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. She knows this legislation will hamper police. She knows it will make Maine communities less safe. She did it anyway.
Mills went even further in her crusade against federal immigration enforcement. Just like that, she rescinded a 2011 executive order from former Republican Governor Paul LePage that had enhanced cooperation between state and federal officials. Over a decade of common-sense policy designed to keep Mainers safe—gone.
The White House responded directly. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told The Daily Wire, “Every locality should be willing to cooperate with ICE officers to get dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of their communities. It’s common sense.”
Common sense. Apparently that’s in short supply up in Augusta these days.
Putting Politics Before Public Safety
The timing of Mills’ decision reveals her true motivations. She’s currently running for Senate and will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in what promises to be a bruising race. But first, Mills needs to survive a primary challenge. Nothing rallies the progressive base quite like thumbing your nose at Trump’s ICE enforcement efforts.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee didn’t hold back. “Radical Janet Mills is trying to BAN Maine law enforcement from working with ICE so that criminals illegal immigrants can stay in the state,” the NRSC posted. “Mills continues to put Mainers last EVERY TIME.”
Hard to argue with that assessment.
This isn’t about protecting vulnerable immigrants seeking a better life. Let’s dispense with that fiction right now. This is about a calculating politician who decided that rewarding criminal illegal aliens is her ticket to Washington. Maine’s legal residents? They’re just collateral damage in her political ambitions.
The Battle Spreads North
Immigration has become a defining issue far beyond the Rio Grande. ICE has conducted major operations throughout Boston and New England recently. Democrats across the region are now scrambling to position themselves as resistance fighters against federal law enforcement. Mills is simply the latest to sacrifice public safety for progressive street cred.
Maine’s citizens deserve leaders who prioritize their security over political posturing. They deserve a governor who doesn’t openly admit a bill is confusing and then pass it anyway. Come November 2026, voters will have their chance to weigh in. One hopes they remember exactly who Janet Mills chose to protect—and who she abandoned.
Key Takeaways
- Maine’s Democratic governor allowed a law limiting police cooperation with ICE to take effect.
- Governor Mills admitted the bill creates “confusing restraints” for law enforcement officers.
- The decision coincides with Mills’ Senate campaign against Republican Susan Collins.
- The White House called cooperation with ICE on criminal aliens “common sense.”
Sources: Daily Wire
