A coalition representing Maine’s state and local law enforcement agencies issued a statement Saturday calling for calm and responsible public discourse after rumors about a possible increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations spread across several communities in the state. The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition said “inflammatory rhetoric and misleading narratives” about federal law enforcement activity are creating unnecessary fear and tension that could jeopardize public safety.”Words matter, and when leaders and commentators use language that fuels fear or mistrust, they jeopardize the safety of Maine communities and those sworn to protect them,” the coalition said. The criticism from Maine law enforcement comes amid increased scrutiny nationwide over President Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has resulted in 17 shootings by ICE officers, 4 of them deadly, in his second term. On Wednesday, the mayors of both Lewiston and Portland, as well as Gov. Janet Mills, issued public statements acknowledging the speculation over increased ICE presence. The mayor of Lewiston said it was an “unsettling time” and encouraged residents to “check on their neighbors and stay safe.” The mayor of Portland rejected the need for ICE deployment and warned that “the consequence of law enforcement should not be chaos and violence, which only results in making Portland less safe.”Gov. Mills didn’t reference ICE directly in her video message, but said she felt the community’s anger over the potential of increased federal law enforcement activity in the state. On Friday, the Cumberland County district attorney told Maine’s Total Coverage that if ICE agents use excessive force and break the law when carrying out operations in Cumberland County, she’s prepared to prosecute. Federal response still unclear The public statements, which also included Maine’s Democratic Congressional members and candidates, came despite a lack of confirmation from federal authorities on any planned escalation of ICE activity in Maine. In its statement Saturday, the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition said that federal law enforcement operations have been conducted in Maine for “well over a year,” and that “recent portrayals suggesting sudden or extraordinary activity are inaccurate and contribute to unnecessary alarm.”Immigrant advocacy groups and community organizers have similarly cautioned against fear-driven rumors, with some warning that false reports of ICE sightings have already circulated on social media and fueled anxiety among immigrant communities. Despite the uncertainty, anger over ICE activity and debate over use of force is growing in Maine and across the U.S. There were several anti-ICE protests planned in Maine and Minnesota on Saturday, fueled by continued outrage after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman blocking an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Law & debates to limit cooperation with ICEMaine has recently debated and enacted laws that shape how state and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities. In December, the Maine Legislature passed a bill (LD 1971) that limits cooperation with ICE on immigration matters unless required by a warrant or other legal authority. The MLEC highlighted this legal context in its statement, writing, “recent changes to state law clarify when officers may intervene in life-threatening situations while explicitly limiting involvement in matters that fall solely under federal immigration jurisdiction.”The MLEC says that mischaracterizations about these legal boundaries have contributed to public confusion. In Portland, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners faced months of public pressure to end its contract that allows the U.S. Marshals Service to house federal detainees at the jail. In November, the board voted 3-2 to keep its contract with the federal government and its estimated $2 million dollar reimbursement.

PORTLAND, Maine —

A coalition representing Maine’s state and local law enforcement agencies issued a statement Saturday calling for calm and responsible public discourse after rumors about a possible increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations spread across several communities in the state.

The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition said “inflammatory rhetoric and misleading narratives” about federal law enforcement activity are creating unnecessary fear and tension that could jeopardize public safety.

“Words matter, and when leaders and commentators use language that fuels fear or mistrust, they jeopardize the safety of Maine communities and those sworn to protect them,” the coalition said.

The criticism from Maine law enforcement comes amid increased scrutiny nationwide over President Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has resulted in 17 shootings by ICE officers, 4 of them deadly, in his second term.

On Wednesday, the mayors of both Lewiston and Portland, as well as Gov. Janet Mills, issued public statements acknowledging the speculation over increased ICE presence.

The mayor of Lewiston said it was an “unsettling time” and encouraged residents to “check on their neighbors and stay safe.” The mayor of Portland rejected the need for ICE deployment and warned that “the consequence of law enforcement should not be chaos and violence, which only results in making Portland less safe.”

Gov. Mills didn’t reference ICE directly in her video message, but said she felt the community’s anger over the potential of increased federal law enforcement activity in the state.

On Friday, the Cumberland County district attorney told Maine’s Total Coverage that if ICE agents use excessive force and break the law when carrying out operations in Cumberland County, she’s prepared to prosecute.

Federal response still unclear

The public statements, which also included Maine’s Democratic Congressional members and candidates, came despite a lack of confirmation from federal authorities on any planned escalation of ICE activity in Maine.

In its statement Saturday, the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition said that federal law enforcement operations have been conducted in Maine for “well over a year,” and that “recent portrayals suggesting sudden or extraordinary activity are inaccurate and contribute to unnecessary alarm.”

Immigrant advocacy groups and community organizers have similarly cautioned against fear-driven rumors, with some warning that false reports of ICE sightings have already circulated on social media and fueled anxiety among immigrant communities.

Despite the uncertainty, anger over ICE activity and debate over use of force is growing in Maine and across the U.S. There were several anti-ICE protests planned in Maine and Minnesota on Saturday, fueled by continued outrage after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman blocking an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.

Law & debates to limit cooperation with ICE

Maine has recently debated and enacted laws that shape how state and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities.

In December, the Maine Legislature passed a bill (LD 1971) that limits cooperation with ICE on immigration matters unless required by a warrant or other legal authority.

The MLEC highlighted this legal context in its statement, writing, “recent changes to state law clarify when officers may intervene in life-threatening situations while explicitly limiting involvement in matters that fall solely under federal immigration jurisdiction.”

The MLEC says that mischaracterizations about these legal boundaries have contributed to public confusion.

In Portland, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners faced months of public pressure to end its contract that allows the U.S. Marshals Service to house federal detainees at the jail. In November, the board voted 3-2 to keep its contract with the federal government and its estimated $2 million dollar reimbursement.