On March 27, Representative Ambureen Rana, a Democrat from Bangor, introduced a bill that would prohibit state and local police agencies in Maine from entering contracts with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This bill is a response to the increased deportations and arrests under the Trump Administration that have caused concern over local law enforcement resources being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. In an interview with The Maine Campus, Rana shared her reasons for proposing the bill.

Rana has been an active community leader for over a decade. She advocates for the needs of the people and the struggles residents face throughout the state. With this proposal, Rana wants to alleviate the hardships for locals and give “Maine communities some room to breathe.”

“Maine has enough challenges of its own: homelessness, substance use, a crumbling EMS system, serious budget constraints. Deputizing local police as ICE agents is a step too far” said Rana. “They have enough to do as it is.”

Rana believes that the immigration enforcement practices under both administrations have caused disruption between families and communities across the country. Problems such as separation of children from their parents, deportations without due process, workplace raids and other harmful practices are set to increase under the new administration and have compounded challenges for these immigrants.

“The 287(g) program, which essentially deputizes local police as immigration enforcement officials, would turn Maine Police into federal agents. I knew the new federal administration hoped to expand this program, and I thought that would erode trust between police and immigrant communities, stretch our resources too thin and potentially expose our police to expensive liability. So I proposed this bill,” said Rana.

As a University of Maine graduate, Rana understands the fears that may be spreading on campus for immigrant students. Rana expresses her empathy and concern and hopes that this bill will “make immigrants less fearful of local police and police more approachable.”

If passed, this bill would prevent Maine Police from contracting with ICE. While this is a relatively new measure that Maine could be taking, other states like Oregon and Illinois have already begun to enact laws that offer protective policies to residents. Proponents of these laws believe that there should be measures taken to protect immigrant communities and prevent racial profiling. Others argue that these policies will affect law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal agencies and could possibly endanger public safety.

“I’ve heard some very supportive feedback from my colleagues in Augusta. Many of them feel like something has to be done to better define the role of local police in federal immigration enforcement. Very few of them – if any – want our local police turned into full-fledged ICE agents. Our local needs are just too numerous and too time consuming to justify the level of responsibility the 287(g) program imposes on local law enforcement,” said Rana.

In uncertain moments, Maine-based organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC) have offered a sense of hope for immigrant communities, and believe that their protection should be included in the laws that are enacted.

The ACLU continues to advocate for the voices of immigrant residents who are already experiencing the tensions and pressures of increased discrimination under the Trump Administration. Similarly, the MIRC prioritizes the social and legal conditions for immigrants in the state of Maine. Both of these organizations serve as resources and provide a safe haven for immigrants through advocacy and information sharing.

Rana emphasized the importance of this bill for immigrant communities and the safety that they deserve.

“LD 1259 would help ensure that Maine law enforcement resources – which are already strained and limited – are solely used for Maine communities. It would help build and maintain transparency and trust between police and the communities they serve, which will keep Mainers safe. This bill would also protect the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection for every Maine resident.”

For more information on the status of this bill please visit the Maine Legislature website.

On March 27, Representative Ambureen Rana, a Democrat from Bangor, introduced a bill that would prohibit state and local police agencies in Maine from entering contracts with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This bill is a response to the increased deportations and arrests under the Trump Administration that have caused concern over local law enforcement resources being used to assist federal immigration enforcement. In an interview with The Maine Campus, Rana shared her reasons for proposing the bill.

Rana has been an active community leader for over a decade. She advocates for the needs of the people and the struggles residents face throughout the state. With this proposal, Rana wants to alleviate the hardships for locals and give “Maine communities some room to breathe.”

“Maine has enough challenges of its own: homelessness, substance use, a crumbling EMS system, serious budget constraints. Deputizing local police as ICE agents is a step too far” said Rana. “They have enough to do as it is.”

Rana believes that the immigration enforcement practices under both administrations have caused disruption between families and communities across the country. Problems such as separation of children from their parents, deportations without due process, workplace raids and other harmful practices are set to increase under the new administration and have compounded challenges for these immigrants.

“The 287(g) program, which essentially deputizes local police as immigration enforcement officials, would turn Maine Police into federal agents. I knew the new federal administration hoped to expand this program, and I thought that would erode trust between police and immigrant communities, stretch our resources too thin and potentially expose our police to expensive liability. So I proposed this bill,” said Rana.

As a University of Maine graduate, Rana understands the fears that may be spreading on campus for immigrant students. Rana expresses her empathy and concern and hopes that this bill will “make immigrants less fearful of local police and police more approachable.”

If passed, this bill would prevent Maine Police from contracting with ICE. While this is a relatively new measure that Maine could be taking, other states like Oregon and Illinois have already begun to enact laws that offer protective policies to residents. Proponents of these laws believe that there should be measures taken to protect immigrant communities and prevent racial profiling. Others argue that these policies will affect law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal agencies and could possibly endanger public safety.

“I’ve heard some very supportive feedback from my colleagues in Augusta. Many of them feel like something has to be done to better define the role of local police in federal immigration enforcement. Very few of them – if any – want our local police turned into full-fledged ICE agents. Our local needs are just too numerous and too time consuming to justify the level of responsibility the 287(g) program imposes on local law enforcement,” said Rana.

In uncertain moments, Maine-based organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC) have offered a sense of hope for immigrant communities, and believe that their protection should be included in the laws that are enacted.

The ACLU continues to advocate for the voices of immigrant residents who are already experiencing the tensions and pressures of increased discrimination under the Trump Administration. Similarly, the MIRC prioritizes the social and legal conditions for immigrants in the state of Maine. Both of these organizations serve as resources and provide a safe haven for immigrants through advocacy and information sharing.

Rana emphasized the importance of this bill for immigrant communities and the safety that they deserve.

“LD 1259 would help ensure that Maine law enforcement resources – which are already strained and limited – are solely used for Maine communities. It would help build and maintain transparency and trust between police and the communities they serve, which will keep Mainers safe. This bill would also protect the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection for every Maine resident.”

For more information on the status of this bill please visit the Maine Legislature website.

Groups of legislators and supporters rallied together outside of the State House in Augusta on April 23 to testify against 13 bills that would dismantle the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program that was originally established back in 2023. 

The PFML program was created to provide eligible workers with protected job and family-leave benefits. This program would provide workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid time off of work for a qualified reason including taking care of themselves or a family member facing serious health conditions.

Maine was the 13th state to establish this program in 2023. The PFML has a timeline of about three years with more expected benefits to be available in 2026. This PFML law was constructed by a bipartisan committee over a year of careful planning, research and public input and has been a huge effort by the Maine Department of Labor.

More bills were added to the hearing because policymakers want to push to change or repeal the program before it goes into effect. They are primarily concerned with payroll taxes, potential workforce shortages and the limit to the amount of leave requests.

Despite this, the Maine Paid Leave Coalition, which is made up of various group partners such as the Maine Women’s Lobby (MWL), is heavily opposed to any roll backs of the paid leave program. MWL is a group of feminists who work to engage community leaders and advocate for gender equity throughout the state. This group of women organized the rally on to testify against the 13 bills listed below:

• An act to repeal laws providing for paid family and medical leave and to reimburse taxpayers
• An act to repeal the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to ensure equitable access to the paid family and medical leave benefits program by removing the requirement that leave must be scheduled to prevent undue hardship on the employer
• An act to amend the laws governing paid family and medical leave
• An act to exempt agricultural employers and employees from the Maine paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act regarding employer payments for the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• Resolution, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the legislature from using paid medical leave program funds for any other purpose.
• An act to delay payment of benefits under the paid family and medical leave program funds for any other purpose
• An act to make paid family and medical leave voluntary
• An act to suspend the remittance obligation for paid family and medical leave private plan users
•  An act to make changes to the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to exempt certain public school districts and their employees from the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to amend the paid family medical leave benefits program to balance support of business and employees

Despite the fact that the Maine Paid Family Leave found that over 70% of Mainers support paid family and medical leave in Maine, the Legislature will hear over 10 bills against these programs, as mentioned. The removal of this program would carve out certain workers, suspend premium contribution and exclude benefit reductions. In response, groups around the state have begun to voice their concerns. 

“We know that paid family and medical leave is an essential policy that is a lifeline for Maine workers in times of need—whether it’s to care for themselves or a loved one. Right now we are at the beginning phase of this program, and now is not the time to make these sweeping changes to the program, in the middle of implementation, after years of research and input,” said Partnerships & Programs Coordinator Catie Reed on behalf of MWL.

In regards to student life at the University of Maine, the policy outlines that student wages as a part of the federal work study program are not covered. However, non-work study jobs would be covered and employees would be able to take leave if they meet the requirements of the program. For non-traditional students at UMaine, such as parents and undergraduate students who are 24 years or older, the removal of the program will need to cover their medical and family leave through a public plan or an employer’s private plan.

For more information about the PFML program you can visit this website or the Maine government site dedicated to updates.

Groups of legislators and supporters rallied together outside of the State House in Augusta on April 23 to testify against 13 bills that would dismantle the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program that was originally established back in 2023. 

The PFML program was created to provide eligible workers with protected job and family-leave benefits. This program would provide workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid time off of work for a qualified reason including taking care of themselves or a family member facing serious health conditions.

Maine was the 13th state to establish this program in 2023. The PFML has a timeline of about three years with more expected benefits to be available in 2026. This PFML law was constructed by a bipartisan committee over a year of careful planning, research and public input and has been a huge effort by the Maine Department of Labor.

More bills were added to the hearing because policymakers want to push to change or repeal the program before it goes into effect. They are primarily concerned with payroll taxes, potential workforce shortages and the limit to the amount of leave requests.

Despite this, the Maine Paid Leave Coalition, which is made up of various group partners such as the Maine Women’s Lobby (MWL), is heavily opposed to any roll backs of the paid leave program. MWL is a group of feminists who work to engage community leaders and advocate for gender equity throughout the state. This group of women organized the rally on to testify against the 13 bills listed below:

• An act to repeal laws providing for paid family and medical leave and to reimburse taxpayers
• An act to repeal the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to ensure equitable access to the paid family and medical leave benefits program by removing the requirement that leave must be scheduled to prevent undue hardship on the employer
• An act to amend the laws governing paid family and medical leave
• An act to exempt agricultural employers and employees from the Maine paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act regarding employer payments for the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• Resolution, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the legislature from using paid medical leave program funds for any other purpose.
• An act to delay payment of benefits under the paid family and medical leave program funds for any other purpose
• An act to make paid family and medical leave voluntary
• An act to suspend the remittance obligation for paid family and medical leave private plan users
•  An act to make changes to the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to exempt certain public school districts and their employees from the paid family and medical leave benefits program
• An act to amend the paid family medical leave benefits program to balance support of business and employees

Despite the fact that the Maine Paid Family Leave found that over 70% of Mainers support paid family and medical leave in Maine, the Legislature will hear over 10 bills against these programs, as mentioned. The removal of this program would carve out certain workers, suspend premium contribution and exclude benefit reductions. In response, groups around the state have begun to voice their concerns. 

“We know that paid family and medical leave is an essential policy that is a lifeline for Maine workers in times of need—whether it’s to care for themselves or a loved one. Right now we are at the beginning phase of this program, and now is not the time to make these sweeping changes to the program, in the middle of implementation, after years of research and input,” said Partnerships & Programs Coordinator Catie Reed on behalf of MWL.

In regards to student life at the University of Maine, the policy outlines that student wages as a part of the federal work study program are not covered. However, non-work study jobs would be covered and employees would be able to take leave if they meet the requirements of the program. For non-traditional students at UMaine, such as parents and undergraduate students who are 24 years or older, the removal of the program will need to cover their medical and family leave through a public plan or an employer’s private plan.

For more information about the PFML program you can visit this website or the Maine government site dedicated to updates.

The University of Maine’s commitment to provide communities the ability to learn and work towards success has allowed the system to become the state’s largest driver of educational attainment and economic development. Since 1865, the university has received funding from federal agencies such as the United States Department of Education (USDA) that help drive the growth of world-class research and educational programs that are essential to improve Maine’s environment. 

On Feb 22, the university faced a drawback when USDA initiated an investigation to assess Title IX compliance after President Trump signed an executive order that prohibits transgender women and girls from participating in female sports. Trump stated that the federal government would rescind all funds from educational programs — a decision that was recently reversed after the USDA found UMaine in compliance with Title IX. 

While investigating, the USDA temporarily paused the university’s funding until further notice. The system quickly provided verbal and written responses confirming that the athletic programs have always been consistent with the state and federal laws. According to a March 19 press release from the USDA, the university specifically confirmed that they: 

• Do not permit a male student-athlete to identify as a female student-athlete to establish individual eligibility for NCAA-sanctioned women’s sports.
• Do not permit a male to participate in individual or team contact sports with females.
• Comply with NCAA regulations and do not permit a male student athlete to participate in NCAA-sanctioned women’s sports.

Throughout this process, the university system administrators worked diligently to address this issue. With the help of Senator Susan Collins who aided in the removal of the temporary pause on funding, UMaine began to move forward. In regard to the press release issued by the USDA that approved UMaine’s compliance with Title IX, Chancellor Malloy issued the following statement to local media outlets: 

“The University of Maine System has always maintained its compliance with State and Federal laws and with NCAA rules. We are relieved to put the Department’s Title IX compliance review behind us so the land-grant University of Maine and our statewide partners can continue to leverage USDA and other essential federal funds to strengthen and grow our natural resource economy and dependent rural communities through world-class education, research and extension,” said Malloy. 

UMaine students were kept updated as the university was undergoing this process. This sparked many conversations in and out of the classroom where students expressed their opinions about what this might mean for the future of the university.

First-year students Lillian Campbell and Isabel Dauphinais were concerned when news broke of the university’s compliance.

“When I first heard about the entire thing, I was nervous and confused,” said Dauphinais. 

Both students experienced uncertainty during the two-week period of the temporarily paused funding but they were glad that the university was able to do their best to resolve the issue. 

“I was really proud that our school was taking a stance,” said Campbell. 

Some students indicated they believe it is vital that a balance remains between prioritizing federal funding while also supporting all members of the UMaine student body. 

“There should be a level of inclusivity that fosters an equitable relationship where everyone is allowed to prosper at the university,” said fourth-year Xavier Pettis when asked about what the university should do in the future to assure this balance. 

Similarly, fourth-year student Alex Russell put himself in both positions. 

“While it is difficult to give a solid answer, there should be support for the university’s transgender student population but at the same time you don’t want to deprive other students from funding as a resource. The only thing to do is to try and weather the storm as best while we navigate through these uncertain times,” said Russell. 

Tensions were relieved as the university continued to move forward after the investigation in early February. The student population has continued to raise their voice and advocate for what they believe is right. For more information about the System’s recent USDA Title IX compliance review process and for the latest updates about federal transition information, please visit this website.

On March 3, The Maine Campus interviewed University of Maine Student Government Member Cynthia Shelmerdine, who recently announced her candidacy for student body vice president. In anticipation of student voting ending this week on March 7, Shelmerdine shared more about herself and why she chose to run for vice president of UMSG. 

Shelmerdine is a second-year biomedical engineering student and serves as a representative of military and veteran student affairs, student security, the presidential space committee and services chair.  In the current UMSG election, she is running uncontested for vice president. Cynthia has become an active member of the UMSG community and shared that she is eager to take on a bigger leadership role and work closer with students in this new year. 

“As vice president, I would be able to make a tangible impact. I was inspired to run for vice president from the work that Keegan Tripp has done. He has changed what it means to be a student leader,” said Shelmerdine. I aspire to make as much change as he has done.”

Cynthia is willing to prioritize the needs of students and emphasized the importance of inclusivity on campus. 

“One of my main goals is to put in more funding requests for student-led initiatives. For example, something that is a big issue is accessibility. It is important to make sure that the school is in compliance with American with Disabilities Act regulations so that there is accessibility to buildings on campus for those who are mobility impaired can get in. I am meeting with inclusive access later this week to talk about how we can include better accessibility in the Administration and for the rest of the year,” said Shelmerdine.

As the incoming vice president of this new administration, Shelmerdine explained that she is committed to raising the voice of students so that they are able to express their opinions. For example, Shelmerdine is working on creating spaces outside of the student senate to allow students to advocate for their needs. 

“Keegan and I are hoping to hold a town hall series with students. This is something that we already do with the different deans and we are now planning on doing it with students. During election week, we typically hold a debate night between candidates,” said Shelmerdine.  “But since we are running uncontested, we are planning on holding a session where students can come and ask questions about what they want to see out of this Administration.”

Shelmerdine also emphasized that the Student Activity Fee (SAF) would be the first thing that this new administration would concentrate on. She said the fee would be raised at the average level of other universities. 

“I am of the opinion that we should vote yes on the SAF. It will allow UMSG to help the budget. There is an ongoing problem that student organizations do not have enough money to hold events and one of my goals is to be able to have funding for them. An increase in money for the SAF would allow us to give it back to increase and improve student experience. We want to widen the scope of entertainment for students on campus,” said Shelmerdine. “If it does not increase that would mean increasing fees for clubs which would mean more out of students’ pockets.”

When asked about the biggest challenges facing UMaine students right now, Shelmerdine responded by saying that “there seems to be a gap between students and administration interactions, which can lead to frustration.” 

To solve this issue, she has taken the first step to bridge the gap between student and administrative interactions specifically in regards to research opportunities for students across campus. 

“I want to make research on campus more inclusive. For biomedical engineering, it is difficult because you have to be in the know to get a job. All research labs across majors and colleges need to be more transparent and open about their hiring process and ability of jobs to set up students for success for their degree path,” said Shelmerdine. 

 Shelmerdine has already started doing this with Giovanna Guidoboni, Dean of the Engineering college. 

“I helped her set up an advisory council. I hope to extend this opportunity to other deans to better include students in conversation about research opportunities. Dean Giovanna was able to hear the voices of students. I hope other deans take this as an example to realize the need to listen to their students,” said Shelmerdine. 

Voting ends this Friday, March 7. The ballots will be unsealed and announced March 10. Shelmerdine urges students to get out and vote during this election week. 

“Students have the ability to make an impact on campus whether they are involved or not, and it is an opportunity to voice their concerns for the future of the university and UMSG,” said Shelmerdine.