Two ICE Protestors in Monument Square, Portland, on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

The Portland Tenants Union is calling on Governor Janet T. Mills, 78 (D) to enact an immediate eviction moratorium during the next 60 days to protectd Maine residents facing housing insecurity due to attacks on our community by ICE and the current federal administration.  ICE has invaded private spaces andn public spaces such as schools, streets, sidewalks, and grocery stores according to a press release received from the Portland Tenants Union.  They have prevented the free movement of residents across the state due to the threats of abduction, harassment and violence.  The Department of Homeland Security has publicly sdtated that they plan to abduct 1,400 community members in the state and has not publicly indicated that they have any intention of stopping soon.

Eviction moratoriums in Maine are not unprecedented.  On April 16th, 2020, Governor Mils declared a state of emergenc in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and issued a moratorium on evictions for the duration of the emergency.  We urge her to take simillar measures to protecdt the health and safety of our Maine communities.

Housing is a basic human need and eviction during times of crisis can lead to devastating consequences — including homelessness, health risks and community instability.  Many households are stuck between two awful choices:  showing up to work and risking abduction or not showing up and risking their livelihood, their ability to keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads.

The PTU urges Governor Mills to:

Suspend all residential evictions for the duration of the declared emergency; provide rental assistance programs to help tenants recover financiallly and ensure legal protections so that no one loses their home due to temporary hardship.

By taking swift action, the Governor will help safeguard public health, economic stability ad the dignity of our community members.