Maine Immigration Laws

Portland and several other Maine municipalities have declared themselves "welcoming cities" and prohibit city employees from asking about immigration status or using city resources to enforce federal immigration laws unless required by law or judicial warrant.

Asylum seekers with valid employment authorization documents are eligible for Maine driver’s licenses. Undocumented residents without work permits are not eligible for driver’s licenses or state identification.

Maine does not require private employers to use E-Verify for employment eligibility verification. Federal I-9 requirements still apply to all employers.

Maine does not provide in-state tuition to undocumented students by statute. Some public universities may allow qualifying DACA recipients to pay in-state tuition rates under institutional policies.

Maine labor laws protect all workers regardless of immigration status. Employers cannot use immigration status as a defense against wage claims or as retaliation for asserting workplace rights.