Immigration

LD 1656 prohibits state and local government entities (including law enforcement agencies, counties, and municipalities) from adopting policies that block cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill specifically bans rules or practices that prevent officials from asking about immigration status, sharing immigration status information with federal agencies, or maintaining records related to immigration status. It defines key terms like "immigration detainer" (a federal request to hold someone) and clarifies that local entities must comply with federal immigration law requests. This bill directly affects all Maine state and local government agencies and law enforcement officials who interact with federal immigration authorities.

This bill requires Maine driver's licenses and nondriver ID cards to display whether the holder is a U.S. citizen, a noncitizen, or an asylum seeker. It directly affects all license and ID card holders in Maine by adding this citizenship status designation to their existing identification. The key provision amends state law to mandate this information appear on all new and renewed licenses, replacing current requirements with a clear status indicator. The bill does not change eligibility for licenses but adds a standardized classification to identification documents.

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to require U.S. citizenship for voting in Maine state and local elections. It would amend the Maine Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections for governor, state legislators, county officials, and municipal positions. The amendment must be approved by voters in a referendum held during the November election following the bill's passage, with a specific question asking whether to permit only U.S. citizens to vote in such elections. If approved by a majority, the change would become part of the Maine Constitution.