Bangor City Council Debates Limiting Cooperation with Federal Immigration Agencies

Proposed ordinances aim to restrict use of city resources for civil immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Bangor City Council is considering two proposed ordinances that would limit the city's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. One ordinance, proposed by Councilor Michael Beck, would ban the use of city funds, facilities, equipment, data or staff for immigration enforcement against people whose only alleged violation is a civil immigration issue. The other proposal, from Councilor Susan Faloon, would bar recent ICE agents from being hired as Bangor law enforcement officers and prohibit city employees from wearing identity-concealing face coverings when interacting with the public.

Why it matters

The proposed ordinances follow a recent surge in immigration enforcement in Maine, known as 'Operation Catch of the Day,' which has drawn protests across the state, including in Bangor. The measures aim to limit the city's involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, which some argue could make residents afraid to report crimes or access city services.

The details

Bangor's City Council narrowly voted to further consider Beck's proposal, which would also bar official agreements deputizing city staff to enforce federal immigration laws and establish a public reporting system for alleged violations. Faloon's proposal failed to move forward. Some councilors raised concerns that the measures were unnecessary or could put the city at risk of losing federal funding, while others shared stories of local residents detained by ICE. The city solicitor recommended against passing the proposals in their current form, citing legal concerns.

  • In January 2026, federal agencies conducted an immigration enforcement surge in Maine dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day', arresting 206 immigrants.
  • In October 2025, Bangor's City Council voted down a resolve that would've clarified the city's procedures around potential agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • On Monday, Bangor's City Council voted 5-4 to move Beck's proposal to a first reading, after which it will go to a committee for further discussion.

The players

Michael Beck

A Bangor City Councilor who proposed an ordinance to limit the city's cooperation with federal immigration agencies.

Susan Faloon

A Bangor City Councilor who proposed an ordinance to bar recent ICE agents from being hired as Bangor law enforcement officers and prohibit city employees from wearing identity-concealing face coverings when interacting with the public.

Mark Hathaway

The Bangor Police Chief, who told councilors that the proposed ordinance wouldn't change any part of his department's operations since they've never engaged in immigration enforcement.

David Szewczyk

Bangor's City Solicitor, who recommended against passing the proposals in their current form, citing legal concerns.

ACLU of Maine

A legal advocacy organization that sent a text message blast to local residents and launched an email template for supporters to send to Bangor city councilors urging them to pass the ordinances.

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What they’re saying

“What this ordinance does is draw a firm line between local public safety responsibilities and federal civil immigration enforcement.”

— Michael Beck, Bangor City Councilor (Bangor Daily News)

“Bangor doesn't need to interject itself where we may face consequences that are unexpected.”

— Carolyn Fish, Bangor City Councilor (Bangor Daily News)

“We don't see ICE around that much doing anything. I think this is something that we need to wait on.”

— Wayne Mallar, Bangor City Councilor (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Bangor City Council will hold a first reading of Councilor Beck's proposed ordinance, after which it will go to a committee for further discussion and potential edits.

The takeaway

Bangor's debate over limiting cooperation with federal immigration agencies reflects a broader trend of local governments across the country taking steps to distance themselves from federal civil immigration enforcement, amid concerns that such cooperation could erode trust in local institutions and make immigrant communities less likely to report crimes or access city services.