Amid Increased ICE Activity, Maine Quietly Makes Change in License Plate Policy

Over the last few weeks, we have been hearing a lot about increased ICE activity in the State of Maine.  In particular, the government agency has reportedly been running operations in the Lewiston area as they seek to arrest people who are in the country illegally.

As the members of the Mills administration have made it abundantly clear that they are not fans of the government agency, it really did not come as much of a surprise when they announced a change to the policy on issuing undercover license plates.

According to an article on the WABI website, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles is hitting pause on issuing new confidential license plates to federal agencies.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says the BMV recently got a request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for undercover Maine plates.  That request landed as rumors have been swirling and as concerns grow over federal law enforcement activity in other states.

Quoted in the article, Bellows seems to imply that the change is not directly related to ICE activity that has been reported in Maine.  Instead, she seems to imply that the reason for the change is to promote an opennesss where, if you are pulled over by a vehicle using police lights, you can instantly tell that vehicle is a legitimate member of law enforcement and not a "vigilante" who managed to get their hands on a police light.

For now, Bellows says no new unmarked plates will be issued until the state can be sure they aren’t being used for any unlawful purpose.

What is your opinion on this?