South Portland will vote on emergency ICE ordinance

South Portland Prepares to Limit City‑Employee Cooperation With ICE

South Portland, Maine – The South Portland City Council is poised to take a new stance on federal immigration enforcement, moving toward an emergency ordinance that would bar city employees from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in any capacity. The measure, slated for discussion on Oct. 27, would tighten a policy that the city has carried since 2017 and expand its scope in response to growing concerns about the safety of immigrant neighbors.

What the Ordinance Would Do

Under the draft proposal, no city employee—including police officers—would be allowed to work voluntarily with ICE. Municipal resources could not be used to support federal agents, nor could ICE use city property for staging or processing. Employees would be prohibited from sharing addresses, contact information, or immigration status beyond what is required by law, and they could not participate in ICE‑related stops, arrests or detentions.

The ordinance would also require all city staff to receive training on the new policies. Any suspicious activity would be reported to the city manager’s office, which would then forward an aggregated summary to the council and publish an annual report.

School employees are currently excluded from the language, but the council has said it could amend the ordinance to cover them if the school board and district counsel agree.

Why the Council Is Acting Now

Councilor Carter Scott said the urgency is clear: “If it gives people in our community 1 % less fear and 1 % more hope, we absolutely should move it forward as quickly as we can.” The ordinance would be passed through an emergency process that bypasses the normal ordinance schedule, which normally takes several weeks and includes two readings and a waiting period. The council will need a unanimous vote on the text and a preamble explaining why the measure must be expedited.

Mayor Elyse Tipton emphasized that “We do have authority over what our own city government does,” underscoring the council’s intent to assert control over the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement.

City Manager Scott Morelli noted that the policy would not change the status quo, as city employees are already barred from cooperating with ICE under the city’s 2017 principle, which prohibits the use of city resources for surveillance based on race, ethnicity or national origin. However, he acknowledged that the ordinance would codify that principle and provide clearer guidance for staff.

Context: ICE Presence in Maine

ICE has intensified its operations in Maine this year. According to data from the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition covering Jan. 1 through July 31, the state has seen more arrests this year than in the combined total of the previous two years. South Portland tied with Lewiston for the highest number of detentions in the state, with 64 people held at ICE facilities or otherwise detained in the city’s vicinity.

Residents have expressed ongoing concern about the safety of immigrant neighbors. While the new ordinance cannot stop ICE detentions directly, it seeks to prevent city employees from inadvertently assisting the federal agency, thereby reducing the sense of vulnerability among community members.

A Growing Trend

South Portland is not alone in taking such a step. Cities across Maine—including Portland, Lewiston, Rockland, Waterville, and potentially Biddeford—have passed or are considering ordinances that limit or ban cooperation with ICE. The move in South Portland follows a February resolution that expanded the city’s 2017 principle and reflected a broader regional trend toward municipal “sanctuary‑like” policies.

Next Steps

The council will debate the ordinance at its Oct. 27 meeting. If the emergency measure passes, it would become law immediately and remain in effect through the next election cycle. The city’s decision will be closely watched by residents, advocacy groups, and other municipalities grappling with similar issues.

As South Portland prepares to take this decisive step, the city’s leaders reaffirm that they will use their authority to protect community members and clarify the city’s position in the national debate over immigration enforcement.