SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — City and school workers in South Portland can no longer voluntarily assist federal immigration enforcement unless the law requires it. The City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance on Oct. 27 that took effect as soon as it passed, according to the Portland Press Herald and WGME.

The measure forbids putting local staff, money or property toward aiding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless legally required, WGME reported. Both outlets said it does not stop federal agents from acting independently in South Portland. The Press Herald noted it will neither prevent detentions nor govern ICE activity in the area.

Under the ordinance, the Press Herald reported, city workers may not let ICE officers stage or process people on city-owned property or give agents special entry to nonpublic spaces. Employees, including police officers, may not join stops, arrests or detentions on the agency's behalf, nor share anyone's address, contact details or immigration status beyond legal requirements.

WGME, alone among the sources, reported that local police may still show up at ICE operations for public safety reasons. That is distinct from taking part in enforcement on ICE's behalf.

Approving the rule as an emergency let the council bypass the usual weekslong process of two readings and a waiting period. Many councilors wanted it in place before Election Day, the Press Herald reported; the city's website lists the next election as Nov. 3. The School Board had unanimously recommended including school employees the day before the council acted, according to the Press Herald.

All staff will be trained on the policy, and suspicious activity is to go to the city manager's office, which will give the council aggregate figures and issue a yearly report, the newspaper said.

The Press Herald reported that the city has formally opposed working with federal immigration enforcement since 2017. In February, councilors adopted a nonbinding resolution citing reports of masked officers, unmarked vehicles and detentions around the city, according to the city. The Press Herald called that resolution symbolic and said Portland, Lewiston, Rockland, Waterville and Biddeford have passed similar measures.