(The Center Square) — Maine’s top federal law enforcement official is warning demonstrators who plan to protest against a looming immigration crackdown in the state not to interfere with authorities.
With the state’s top Democrats issuing public warnings in the past week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities may soon descend on the state’s two largest cities, Portland, and Lewiston, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Andrew Benson has issued a rare statement cautioning demonstrators against “unlawful obstruction.”
“The Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully assemble and to protest. These are fundamental rights that form the basis for a free society,” Benson said. “What is not protected, however, are acts of violence against other individuals, destruction of property, or obstruction of lawful governmental activity.”
He said if Maine citizens plan to exercise their rights to assemble and protest “it is vital that these protests remain peaceful” warning that authorities won’t tolerate interference.
“Anyone who forcibly assaults or impedes a federal law enforcement officer, willfully destroys government property, or unlawfully obstructs federal law enforcement activity commits a federal crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
He also called on “anyone with a public voice” — whether that be an elected official, commentator or engaged citizen — to similarly urge peaceful protest and engagement.”
“Divisive, bombastic public statements only inflame the situation and make violence more likely,” Benson said. “Force, intimidation and threats have no place in our public discourse and are contrary to our time-honored tradition in Maine of peaceful civic engagement.”
ICE has ramped up its enforcement actions in Minnesota in response to a growing scandal over alleged Medicaid fraud in that state tied to some in the Somali community. Federal officials also recently raided a Maine nonprofit founded by a Somali-American as part of a potential fraud investigation.
Gov. Janet Mills has urged Mainers considering protesting to do so peacefully, with President Donald Trump considering invoking the federal Insurrection Act to crackdown on anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where clashes between police and residents over the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Good are becoming increasingly violent.
Republicans have blamed Mills for heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration, pointing to her recent decision to allow a bill limiting cooperation between Maine law enforcement and federal immigration authorities to become law without her signature.
In November, Maine border officials said they apprehended an “unprecedented” number of individuals in the past year even as illegal crossings along the U.S.-Canada border plummet.
