PORTLAND (AP) – Advocates for Maine’s immigrant and refugee community say a new policy that limits questioning by state workers about a person’s immigration status is a step in the right direction.

Gov. John Baldacci’s April 9 executive order was prompted by an enforcement sweep early this year in which federal agents arrested several immigrants in Portland.

As fear gripped many immigrants in the wake of the sweep, business slowed to a trickle at the Salvadoran restaurant, Tu Casa, said its owner, Luis Rodriguez. But those fears have been greatly allayed by the new policy, he said.

“It’s awesome,” he said of the state’s move. “It’s a good first step.”

Baldacci signed the order after consulting with various state agencies to determine how the policy would affect their operations. It bars state employees from inquiring about immigration status, except under limited circumstances.

The order is similar to those created by cities around the country, including Portland. But it appears to be the first of its kind affecting an entire state.

“I think it’s a giant step for any state to take,” said Ben Guiliani, executive director of the Maine Migrant Workers Advocacy Group. “I think it’s important that people feel safe in their community.”

The policy identifies situations where officials may be obligated to ask about a person’s immigration status, including when directed by federal law, court order or other legal authority.

Michael Cantara, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, says the policy is important because Maine State Police and prosecutors need to be seen as trustworthy and responsive by all residents, including immigrants. “In that type of climate, law enforcement can do its job most effectively,” he said.

Cantara said police “don’t ask (about immigration status) if it’s not germane to your core mission of stopping an assault on a domestic partner or a violation of Maine’s drug laws.”

That situation changes once someone has broken the law, he says. If a person is arrested, questions on their immigration status typically will be a part of the process to determine bail, he says.

Guiliani says he often hears stories from people – many of them citizens or otherwise documented – who have felt intimidated by the government.

When word spread about the immigration sweeps in January, people were quick to stay indoors, away from public services – like help with work, education or health care.

Guiliani says the effect of that not only hurts the government, but more importantly families. “It’s a monumental concern, it has a tremendous toll on the whole family,” he said.

AP-ES-04-26-04 1350EDT