WELLS — Rep. Kathleen Chase, R-Wells, has introduced an immigration bill that would allow police and government officials to ask anyone in Maine for proof of citizenship.

Opponents say the bill will hurt Maine’s tourism industry, but Chase maintains the bill would not hurt the state’s economy or make the state seem “unfriendly.”

“I’m proud to be in a country that opens its doors and allows people to legally come here,” Chase said in a phone interview Monday.

She said in addition to concerns about illegal immigrants’ presence in Maine, another concern is those same immigrants may be drawing benefits like welfare and other government assistance.

Chase said she believes the process has been just to give out benefits without checking for proper ID and proof of residency.

“Our government is costing a lot, and a lot of it is because of those social issues,” she said.

Maine Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Shenna Bellows said the bill, which has been described as similar to the “show-me-your-papers” law in Arizona, is unconstitutional and would hurt Maine’s economy.

“Arizona has lost millions of dollars” in revenue from conventions since the state law was passed there, and many people have boycotted traveling to the state, Bellows said.

“Maine has been a place that welcomes tourists from all over the world,” Bellows said. “The real problem is that (the bill) sends exactly the wrong the message.”

Bellows said “an Arizona-style, racial profiling law is unconstitutional and unnecessary.”

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of Arizona to stop implementation of the law, as did the American Civil Liberties Union. A judge blocked much of the law last year, but the issue is still in the courts, Bellows said.

Chase said the language she has proposed states at least three times that requests for proof of citizenship cannot be based on race, color or national origin.

But opponents question how it would be enforced and who would be required to prove their citizenship.

“What would it be based on?” asked Adam Lee, chairman of Lee Auto Malls and member of the Maine Compact, which formed recently in opposition to the bill, in an interview Wednesday.

Lee, whose grandparents were immigrants from Eastern Europe, said he signed onto the Maine Compact along with other business leaders because he thinks Chase’s proposal is wrong and would hurt Maine’s economy if enacted.

“I don’t think legal immigrants in Maine should live in fear that they are going to be pulled over and arrested,” Lee said.

While Lee said he has not seen the final language of the bill ”“ which is not complete ”“ he is not sure what officials would base the questioning of one’s immigration status on, and said further, there does not seem to be a problem in Maine with illegal immigration.

“Maine has many, many real challenges facing us, and I think legislators and Maine people should focus their efforts on solving the real problems,” Lee said.

Bellows also said many people of color from Arizona have contacted the MCLU and told them of the difficulty they have faced. Bellows said people reported having their cars searched, being interrogated and held until they could provide proof of citizenship.

Chase said she is proud of the country’s heritage and the many immigrants who founded businesses in Maine. She said her concerns are with illegal immigrants. She also brought the legislation forward at the request of several constituents, as is her responsibility, she said.

“There were several people who were interested in an Arizona-style bill because they feel the federal government isn’t doing enough,” Chase said.

She said she believes Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is working on policies for social service providers to ensure proper procedures are followed by those who review requests for government assistance. Chase said if her bill could be merged with other legislation or policies in the future to achieve the same goals, that would be fine with her.

Once the bill language is final, Chase said, the proposal will be sent to one of the legislative committees for action.

— Associate Editor Robyn Burnham can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 329 or rburnham@journaltribune.com.