Sign the Petition: Ask Gov. Mills to Declare a State of Emergency and Help End ICE Detention in Maine

Governor Janet Mills

Across Maine, county jails hold people in immigration detention under contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These contracts entangle our local institutions in a federal deportation system that tears families apart and spreads fear through our communities.

Maine Counties are strapped for cash and are forced to fill budget gaps. With unfunded mandates from the State, Counties face an impossible choice: continue participating in a system that harms our neighbors, or terminate contracts and shift the financial burden onto local property taxpayers.
Governor Mills has the power to break this deadlock.

Ask Governor Janet Mills to:
  1. Declare a state of emergency recognizing the humanitarian crisis created by federal immigration enforcement in Maine
  2. Activate and provide emergency resources to support mutual aid networks
  3. Provide state funding to counties that end their ICE detention contracts, ensuring property taxpayers are not left bearing the cost
  4. Place a moratorium on evictions to support families forced to stay home due to ICE enforcement
  5. Affirm Maine’s values as a welcoming state that protects the dignity of all people living within our borders
No Mainer should have to choose between their tax bill and their conscience. No county should profit from detention. And no community should be torn apart by fear.
Governor Mills can lead the way. But she needs to hear from us.

Sign this petition and demand action now
Petition by
Marpheen Chann
Marpheen Chann for County Commission
Sponsored by
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Marpheen Chann for County Commission
Portland, ME

To: Governor Janet Mills
From: [Your Name]

Dear Governor Mills,

Across Maine, county jails hold people in immigration detention under contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These contracts entangle our local institutions in a federal deportation system that tears families apart and spreads fear through our communities.

Maine counties are strapped for cash and forced to fill budget gaps. With unfunded mandates from the State, counties face an impossible choice: continue participating in a system that harms our neighbors, or terminate contracts and shift the financial burden onto local property taxpayers.

You have the power to break this deadlock.

We, the undersigned, call on you to:

(1) Declare a state of emergency recognizing the humanitarian crisis created by federal immigration enforcement in Maine.

(2) Provide state funding to counties that end their ICE detention contracts, ensuring property taxpayers are not left bearing the cost.

(3) Affirm Maine’s values as a welcoming state that protects the dignity of all people living within our borders.

No Mainer should have to choose between their tax bill and their conscience. No county should profit from detention. And no community should be torn apart by fear.

Governor Mills, you can lead the way. We need you to act now.

Respectfully,
The Undersigned