Waterville City Council to Consider Ordinance on Cooperation With Federal Immigration Authorities

A Maine law signed in January that clarifies how state and local law enforcement agencies may interact with federal immigration authorities is set to take effect in July.

Rockland and Lewiston have each passed ordinances to further define how their officials work with federal immigration agencies. Portland is currently considering its own ordinance.

This week, City Councilor Scott Beale, D‑Ward 6, proposed that Waterville draft a similar ordinance based on Portland’s proposal.

Police Chief William Bonney spoke at Tuesday’s City Council meeting in staunch opposition to adopting any ordinance.

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Bonney described the background work he and his force have done to try to prevent the need for any ordinance, such as working with Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education to provide workshops so people understand both their rights and how a typical interaction (such as being pulled over for a traffic violation) with law enforcement should go.

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He said he believes that doing this has prevented hostile relationships with federal agents and allowed for successful collaborations.

Bonney said it also means that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, informs police before coming to town.

Beale clarified that he meant no disrespect to Bonney and commended his work, but he said he will continue to push for an ordinance. Beale said he will work with City Solicitor Bill Lee and take guidance from the ACLU of Maine.

Councilor Spencer Krigbaum, D‑Ward 5, Councilor Flavia DeBrito, D‑Ward 2, and Councilor Cathy Herard, D‑Ward 7, all expressed support for formally proposing an ordinance.

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The council is expected to consider a proposed ordinance at its next meeting, set for Tuesday, May 5.