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Somerset County sheriff urges veto of LD1971, saying it may conflict with federal law
Summary
Sheriff Lancaster told commissioners he believes LD1971, which restricts certain law enforcement activities related to federal immigration enforcement, is unconstitutional and asked the county to draft a resolution urging the Governor to veto it. Commissioners requested the Sheriff and County Administrator prepare the draft resolution.
Somerset County Sheriff Lancaster told commissioners June 18 that he believes LD1971 — legislation that prohibits certain state law enforcement activities in conjunction with federal immigration enforcement — is unconstitutional because it would circumvent federal law. Commissioner Joel Stetkis responded by noting elected officers take oaths to uphold both the State of Maine and U.S. Constitutions, and Commissioner Robert Sezak asked the Sheriff and County Administrator Tim Curtis to draft a resolution urging the Governor to veto the bill.
The board did not vote on the resolution during the meeting; commissioners directed the Sheriff and the County Administrator to prepare the draft for future consideration. The exchange was recorded as part of the Administrator Report and Finance Reporting portion of the agenda.
