As Communities Say 'ICE Not Welcome,' Maine Halts Undercover License Plates for Federal Agents

[cbabe]

https://www.commondreams.org/news/maine-federal-agents-ice

As Communities Say ‘ICE Not Welcome,’ Maine Halts Undercover License Plates for Federal Agents

“Maine is our home,” said Democratic US Senate candidate Graham Platner, “and we’re not going to let ICE agents terrorize our communities without resistance.”

JON QUEALLY
Jan 19, 2026

As residents of Maine continue to prepare for and speak out against an anticipated surge of federal immigration agents operating in their communities, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows over the weekend suspended the issuance of undercover license plates requested by the US Border Patrol.

With Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and others continuing to terrorize Minneapolis, people in Maine have been on high alert since last week, when reports indicated that Maine was next on the target list of President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“These requests in light of rumors of ICE deployment to Maine and abuses of power in Minnesota and elsewhere raise concerns,” Bellows said in a written statement on Saturday.

“We have not revoked existing plates but have paused issuance of new plates,” she added. “We want to be assured that Maine plates will not be used for lawless purposes.”

… more …

[dalton99a]

1. All blue states should do this

[peggysue2]

2. I've read . . .

Lewiston, Maine (population approximately 37,000) is the next target for ICE's goons. Reportedly, Portland and Lewiston are home to Maine's largest Somali communities. Guess the goon squad hopes for better results (less push back) in Maine than they've had in Minnesota.

Which brings up the old warning: Be careful what you wish for!

[leftstreet]

3. There are 10x that amount in Columbus OH

If it's really about Somalis

Why don't the chickenshits go to OH?

[peggysue2]

7. Population in Columbus, Ohio . . .

Is far larger than Lewiston and the state has consistently voted for Trump.

Somalis are the most recent scapegoat. The intent is to intimidate, spread fear and normalize the violent incursions.

I understand ICE was disappointed to find most of the Somali residents in Minneapolis were US citizens. Not that that appears to stop them rampaging through neighborhoods, kidnapping and detaining citizens and/or targeting anyone with an accent or brown skin.

Despicable!

[cbabe]

10. Looking for Canadians? (joke)

[leftstreet]

4. DURec

[Renew Deal]

5. Can these plates be used in other states?

Do other states have plates they can revoke?

[WestMichRad]

6. What are "undercover license plates"?

The article doesn’t explain it. Is that a jazzed up term for unmarked cars (with standard state issued plates rather than government vehicle plates)?

[FakeNoose]

9. Every state issues its own vehicle license plates

... and typically they only go to the state's own residents/citizens. However there are times when a non-resident needs a license plate for temporary use, and I believe the ICE agents fit that description.

Whether or not the state actually calls them "undercover" plates, I've never heard that term. But I don't live in Maine, so maybe it's just a local term. In Pennsylvania I believe they are called temporary, not "undercover" plates.

[WestMichRad]

12. Thanks for the explanation!

[AverageOldGuy]

8. If ICE agents think Maine is cold in the winter . . .

. . . just wait until the spring Black Fly Season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PikaBlue]

18. The black fly is Maine's state bird.

[Martin68]

11. Good for Maine!

[twodogsbarking]

13. Go Maine.

[KPN]

14. Every State should start doing this! Of course, red states

won’t …

[popsdenver]

15. And,

why aren't the entire group of Congressional Dems, jumping all over things like this and shouting it loud and clear every single day???????

[malaise]

16. Good

Rec

[llmart]

17. Is Susan Collins concerned yet?

Asking for a friend.