Maine lawmakers have decided not to advance a bill that aimed to prohibit federal immigration officers from wearing identity-concealing masks during public interactions. The proposal, introduced by Rep. Grayson Lookner from Portland, was rejected by legislative leaders during a meeting on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Consequently, the bill will not proceed to a public hearing or be considered by the full Legislature in the upcoming session scheduled to begin on January 7, 2024.
The legislation was intended to address growing concerns about the visibility and accountability of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the community. Lookner stated that the presence of masked federal officers creates an atmosphere of fear. “The appearance of masked, unaccountable federal agents sowing fear in our communities is an emergency,” he said in a written statement. He expressed disappointment that legislative leadership missed a vital opportunity to advocate for transparency and uphold the rule of law in Maine.
The bill was a direct response to incidents involving ICE agents that have alarmed local communities. One such event occurred in September 2023, when an ICE agent arrested a parent outside the Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland. School officials reported that the agents wore vests marked “police,” yet operated in unmarked vehicles and refused to identify themselves when approached. This incident heightened anxiety among parents and school staff, according to Lookner.
Concerns about immigration enforcement practices have intensified nationally, particularly during the Trump administration, which has emphasized aggressive measures against illegal immigration. Similar legislation has emerged in other states, with California recently becoming the first state to enact a ban on identity-concealing masks for law enforcement, including federal agents. This law was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2023 and has led to a federal lawsuit regarding the issue.
Lookner asserted that the masked agents’ actions resemble those of a secret police force rather than a law enforcement body in a democratic society. He emphasized that his proposed bill would have specifically targeted masks used for concealment, rather than protective equipment intended for safety purposes.
During the meeting in which the proposal was rejected, legislative leaders heard appeals from numerous lawmakers seeking approval for their bills ahead of the upcoming session. The shorter legislative session is constitutionally mandated to focus primarily on budget matters, emergency legislation, and certain other categories, such as proposals from the governor or citizen initiatives.
The Legislative Council did not engage in discussions about Lookner’s proposal prior to their vote. The rejection was supported by key figures, including Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce, among others. Only a minority of council members, including Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill Duson and House Majority Leader Matt Moonen, voted in favor of the bill.
As Maine lawmakers prepare for the upcoming session, the issue of transparency in immigration enforcement remains contentious, reflecting broader national debates about the balance between security and civil liberties.
