Maine Panel Won't Consider Ban On Masked ICE Agents, Bucking Unmasking Push

Maine’s Legislative Council voted 6-3 to reject consideration of a 2025 bill that would have barred police and ICE agents from wearing identity-concealing masks. The proposal followed local incidents involving unidentified agents and mirrors a broader multi-state push—including California’s new law now facing a federal lawsuit—to limit masked operations and require identification. The decision highlights ongoing tension between state transparency efforts and federal enforcement prerogatives as advocates launch tools like an “ICE watch” hotline in Maine.