Lewiston City Council to Take Final Vote on Emergency Ice Ordinance

NEW INFORMATION:

On March 3rd at 7 PM Lewiston Council will act on the Emergency Ordinance introduced on February 17th. The first review and public comment filled the Council Chambers. Ordinances require two public hearings before being enacted – and though the first vote by council passed, a second vote is required for the ordinance to be enacted. The Councilors who voted to pass in February should hear our gratitude, and all councilors should hear your support for this ordinance in its final passage.

Speak during public comment, call or email your councilors. If you are unable to attend a City Council meeting you can send an email to: publiccomments@lewistonmaine.gov and the email will be forwarded to the Mayor and City Councilors before the meeting. The email should include your name and your municipality of residence.

HISTORY ON THE AGENDA ITEM:

The State Legislature enacted a law (LD 1971), titled An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies with Federal Immigration Authorities. This law won’t go into effect until 90 days after the current legislature adjourns. The proposed local ordinance would be an emergency measure, effective immediately, and would help span the next 60 days.

What does the local ordinance actually do?

Prevents cooperation: Prevents city departments from granting federal access to non-public areas, prevents city employees and departments from supporting or participating in immigration enforcement operations (access, stops, arrests, detentions, information sharing). This includes not transferring people to ICE or CBP custody, or aiding ICE or CBP.

Protects City resources: This ensures that local taxpayers’ dollars are being used as intended, and as residents want – on local issues.

Protects the constitutional rights of all Lewiston Residents: Anyone living in the US, regardless of their citizenship, work, or residency status, has the rights the US Constitution affords all of us. This helps ensure the rights for due process are followed, and potentially saves the City from future costly lawsuits.

Protects City Staff: All employees will be able to point to a clear ordinance that directs their actions and responses to requests for resources, information, and more, allowing them to avoid hard, personal decisions in tense moments.

Will local employees and law enforcement officers be at risk or at odds with laws?

No, the emergency ordinance and LD 1971 ensure that any Judicial Warrants are still followed.

What can I do?

Call or email your city councilor before Tuesday afternoon, so they can read your thoughts. Ask them to vote in support of this emergency ordinance.

Show up at City Hall on Tuesday, February 17th, at 7:00 PM and speak during public comment on this agenda item. You have 3 minutes or less, so prepare your thoughts ahead, and be clear that you want to see this ordinance passed.

But I hear ICE isn’t as active. Does this even matter?

YES! ICE is still here in Lewiston. They are still taking our neighbors, disrupting our schools, lives, and businesses. The funding and plans of ICE and CBP indicate a long road ahead – and this ordinance helps keep our neighbors safer while we wait for LD 1971 to go into effect.

Where can I learn more?

The full agenda packet for the City Council meeting is here. All of the items related to the ICE Ordinance Agenda item can be found here.