Quincy Hentzel is president and CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Shanna Cox is president and CEO of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Maine’s economy depends on immigrants.
The contributions they make every day to our communities, workforce and economy are invaluable. While we are encouraged that the recent increase in immigration enforcement activity has ended, the last several weeks have created significant uncertainty for workers, employers and communities alike. We continue to be concerned for the safety and well-being of our immigrant co-workers, neighbors and friends, and the impact recent activity will continue to have on Maine’s employers, economy and long-term future.
For generations, immigrants have helped sustain and grow Maine’s economy and workforce. Immigrants are vital as entrepreneurs and business owners, and to Maine’s hospitality, construction, health care, farming, fishing, food processing, manufacturing, education, science sectors and more.
Today, immigrants hold the key to resolving Maine’s decades-long demographic challenges and workforce shortage. Portland in particular has adopted policies as part of its commitment to protecting and supporting immigrants who contribute to the health, prosperity and vibrancy of our community. Many immigrants choose to come to Portland and Lewiston-Auburn believing they are welcoming and safe places to live and work.
Recent immigration enforcement activity in Maine has caused many immigrants who are legally here to feel unsafe leaving their homes to take their children to school, buy groceries or go to work. Employers are experiencing increased absenteeism. For many businesses — particularly those already facing workforce shortages — this disruption threatens productivity, stability and their ability to serve customers and communities. Foot traffic to stores and restaurants is down. Customers and employees do not feel safe and are staying clear.
The recent ICE operation in Maine has been crippling business operations and productivity. The confusion surrounding what ICE can or cannot lawfully do, how long its Maine operation would last and now, whether enhanced activity will restart, has created a lingering uncertainty.
We believe immigration reform is needed. The current system is not working as intended. Legal processes need to be clear, reliable and consistently applied so individuals and employers can depend on the protections the law is meant to provide.
The ripple effect and cumulative economic impact of recent immigration activity in Maine is significant. We saw how sudden disruption affected businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and that recovery takes time, like in Lewiston-Auburn after the horrific mass shooting in October 2023.
It is important to remember that, according to experts, immigration helped the U.S. economy recover after the COVID-19 pandemic and nearly all U.S. population and workforce growth is being fueled by immigration.
We also must keep front of mind a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office and projections from economic experts that paint a foreboding picture of what is to come. Due to deportation and immigration policies and a lower U.S. fertility rate, the nation’s population is projected to start shrinking. Consumer spending is expected to fall, job creation is already weakening and U.S. GDP will decline.
We are proud to speak in support of immigrants and to recognize the essential role they play in Maine’s economy and communities. Policies and practices that make it more difficult for people to come here, work legally and feel safe undermine not only individuals and families, but also the overall strength and stability of our state.
Maine has invested significant effort in building a reputation as a welcoming place for people from around the world. That reputation — and the progress it represents — is at risk if individuals legally here do not feel secure, supported and valued.
Restoring immigrants’ sense of safety and business operations will take time. Assuring that ICE activity in Maine will not restart, and ensuring a fair, predictable and welcoming environment for immigrants in Maine and across the U.S. is critical to sustaining a vibrant economy, resilient communities and a strong future for Maine.
