Hundreds of residents call on #WellsME to end agreement with ICE
Wells police already paused training for #ICE and a bill that could end the agreement is on hold in the Legislature
by Adam Bartow, Jun 13, 2025
WELLS, Maine — "More than 900 people in the town of Wells have signed a petition calling on the town police department to withdraw from its agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
" 'These signatures represent concerns about the negative consequences of any formal affiliation with ICE given this agency’s questionable practices and policies,' said Mary Marra of Wells Democracy In Action (#DIA).
"The group says they are concerned about what the agreement with ICE will do to the reputation of the town and police department. They also cite concerns about 'harm to #immigrant families, financial and legal liabilities for the town, decline in tourism, and community polarization.'
" 'At times like the present, even the best intentions can lead to unintended and even tragic results,' said Marra.
"On May 20, the Wells Police Department announced it would hold off on having its officers undergo ICE training while a bill that could sever the partnership between the two agencies makes its way through the Maine Legislature.
"The announcement from Chief of Police Jo-Ann Putnam to pause training came nearly seven weeks after the department signed an agreement with ICE under the 287(g) Program.
"The bill, #LD1259, is known as 'An Act to Enhance Public Safety in Maine by Defining the Relationship Between Local and Federal Law Enforcement.' The legislation was referred to the Judiciary Committee by both the House and Senate and a public hearing on the bill was held, but it has now been carried over to the next session of the Legislature, which is scheduled for January 2026.
"Maine's Total Coverage reached out to Putnam on Friday morning for a response to the petition.
"She previously said she decided to have the Wells Police Department join the 287(g) Program so officers could take action when they come into contact with a person who has a criminal warrant and is in the country illegally.
" 'I have said it multiple times in the past, but would like to reiterate one more time that at no point was there ever any intent on doing proactive immigration enforcement,' Putnam said when she announced the pause on training."
https://www.wmtw.com/article/hundreds-residents-wells-maine-petition-end-agreement-ice/65056933
#ResistICE #MainePol #USPol #Maine
#287g #ACAB #MaineResists