Citing redundancy, lawmakers ditch proposed ban on federal immigration contracts

Citing redundancy, lawmakers ditch proposed ban on federal immigration contracts

Protesters rally in Portland's Monument Square against federal immigration enforcement on Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)Lawmakers rejected a bill that sought to prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with federal immigration enforcement authorities — but only because a law set to take effect this summer will do that already.  After postponing her decision last year, Gov. Janet Mil…