Maine Bill Aims to Protect Children from ICE Enforcement at Schools

Proposed legislation would prohibit ICE agents from entering public schools without a valid judicial warrant.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A new bill in Maine, LD 2106, would prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering public schools, daycares, hospitals, and other sensitive locations without a valid judicial warrant. The bill is aimed at providing physical and emotional safety for children and families, who have experienced increased fear and disruption due to ICE operations in the state.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is a response to recent incidents where ICE agents have made arrests near or on school grounds, causing widespread fear and leading to hundreds of student absences. Supporters argue that children's learning and development cannot coexist with the presence of immigration enforcement in these spaces.

The details

LD 2106 would prohibit ICE from entering public schools, daycares, hospitals, and other community institutions without a valid judicial warrant. It would also ensure that information about a person's immigration status held by these entities is properly protected. The bill is intended to provide guidance and support to workers at these locations, so they are not forced to make individual decisions in crisis situations.

  • On September 12, 2025, ICE agents arrested a parent who had just dropped off their child at a Portland elementary school.
  • In January 2026, hundreds of students were absent from Maine schools due to concerns about ICE enforcement activities in the community.

The players

Lacey Donle

A mother of two children who attend public school in Lisbon, Maine, and a preschool teacher at a licensed child care center.

LD 2106

A proposed bill in the Maine legislature that would prohibit ICE agents from entering public schools, daycares, hospitals, and other sensitive locations without a valid judicial warrant.

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What they’re saying

“Learning and fear cannot coexist.”

— Lacey Donle, Mother and Preschool Teacher (centralmaine.com)

What’s next

The Maine legislature will vote on LD 2106 in the coming weeks. If passed, the bill would provide legal protections to prevent ICE agents from entering sensitive community spaces without a valid warrant.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation in Maine reflects a growing effort to protect children and families from the disruptive and traumatic impacts of immigration enforcement activities in schools and other community institutions. By limiting ICE's access to these spaces, the bill aims to create safer and more supportive environments for learning and child development.