![Mount Desert Is Maine’s First Sanctuary Community](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2017/05/Diversity.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Mount Desert Is Maine’s First Sanctuary Community
The voters in Mount Desert have made history, declaring it the first 'sanctuary community' in Maine, welcoming everyone equally.
WABI-TV reports the measure was prompted by a citizens' petition that began as a response to President Trump's immigration policies. That petition gained enough signatures to send it to a vote, and the residents turned out to pass the measure 101 to 59.
A 'sanctuary community' welcomes all people, regardless of nationality, which means that local law enforcement and city officials are not required to enforce federal immigration laws. Town officials say it makes sense for their town, since its economy relies on that diversity to thrive. They say tourists and residents alike need to feel safe within the community.
An identical vote will be held at a town meeting in Bar Harbor next month.
More From WQCB Brewer Maine
![Bangor Police Say 10+ More Arrested in the Camp Hope Raid](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-341.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A Man’s Body Has Been Recovered From Maine’s Casco Bay](http://townsquare.media/site/543/files/2021/08/attachment-RS29739_GettyImages-914796764-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bangor Police Arrest a Woman in a Stolen Dump Truck from Vermont](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Lyndon-Vermont.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Maine Officials Identify 2 People Who Died in Trenton Plane Crash](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Plane-Crash-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bangor Police Arrest 2 at Camp Hope Unhoused Encampment](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-ture-fram.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![AI Ranks the 10 Best Places to Vacation in Maine](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-25T105846.299.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Drugs and Guns: Milford Woman and Two Men Indicted](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-17.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Maine Man Pleads Guilty For His Role in the U.S. Capitol Breach](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-15.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Maine Man Who Killed His Girlfriend in 2022 Sentenced](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-24T113935.874.jpg?w=980&q=75)