Important Maine Bill On Immigration Policy

Here's an excerpt from Larry Lockman's post in regards to bill #LD1652 re: immigration policies. Thanks Karen Gerrish for sounding the alert. This is important stuff. No reason police should not be able to inquire about one's immigration status. Read on...

Today was Day 9 of Rep. Jeff McCabe's campaign to shut down debate on LD 1652, "An Act Regarding Municipal ...Immigration Policies.

If enacted, the legislation would deny state aid to any municipality that prohibits local law enforcement officers from gathering information regarding the immigration status of any individual.

Portland enacted a city ordinance in 2003 that explicitly prohibits police officers from inquiring into the immigration status of any person, or engaging in activities for the purpose of ascertaining the immigration status of any person.

When the bill came to the floor of the House last week to be referred to committee for public hearings, McCabe moved to table the bill unassigned, a rarely used parliamentary "nuclear option" that effectively kills the bill without debate or public hearings -- unless and until McCabe recalls the bill from the table.

The motion to "table unassigned" is not debatable.

The tabling motion passed on a straight party-line roll call vote (#497) on Tuesday, March 15.

Today I stood on the floor of the House to inquire through the Chair (Speaker Eves) whether or not Rep. McCabe is prepared to recall the bill from the table so that we can move forward with public hearings on this legislation.

McCabe sat mute in his corner seat, and within minutes abruptly left the chamber before adjournment.