Portland Mayor Mark Dion says the city is willing to fight the federal government in court over an agreement requiring the city to cooperate with federal immigration operations.
At a press conference on Thursday, Dion said the city approved an agreement for $18 million in grant money for improvements at the Portland Jetport.
He says language was later added to the agreement, requiring their cooperation with ICE in order to receive the money.
A federal judge recently issued an emergency injunction blocking ICE from enforcing provisions tied to transportation contracts, after Maine joined a multi-state lawsuit.
Protesters in Portland on Thursday demanded that city leaders take a stronger stance against ICE.
Dion says the city council decided to sign the latest version of the contract but did not agree to the ICE provision and will fight it in court if needed.
The agreement was discussed at a last-minute emergency workshop Wednesday evening, with the contract expected to be signed on Friday.
