Maine Halts Undercover License Plates After Border Security Request
Maine has paused the issuance of undercover license plates following a request from federal border security. This decision comes amid growing concerns over potential immigration enforcement actions in the state. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows made the announcement, indicating that the pause is a precautionary measure.
Maine’s Decision on Undercover License Plates
The request for confidential license plates was made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Bellows did not specify when the request was submitted. She expressed concerns about the implications of such requests, especially in light of rumors regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Maine.
Concerns Over Lawful Use
- Bellows stated that existing undercover plates will remain valid.
- New issuances have been paused until further information is available.
- The intention is to prevent misuse of Maine plates for unlawful activities.
Additional details regarding the number of plates requested or the history of such requests were not disclosed. CBP has yet to respond to inquiries from El-Balad regarding this matter.
Impact on Federal Agencies
The suspension of new undercover plates has raised concerns among federal law enforcement agencies. Ryan Guay, a supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal in Maine, expressed surprise at this decision. Historically, the U.S. Marshals Service has been able to obtain these plates for sensitive operations.
- Guay emphasized the importance of undercover plates for safety during investigations.
- He noted that the cessation of this practice is unprecedented and poses risks to their operations.
Guay is currently consulting with national offices to determine the next steps for the Marshals Service in light of this unexpected change. The federal government had also recently placed an order for cold weather gear for CBP in Houlton, indicating ongoing operations in the area.
