Federal Immigration Operation Launched in Maine

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has kicked off “Operation Catch of the Day,” a significant surge in immigration enforcement in Maine that has already resulted in multiple arrests.

During an interview with Fox News, ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde mentioned that 50 arrests have been made so far. She highlighted that the agency is currently targeting around 1,400 individuals throughout the state.

Hyde explained that the operation focuses on those who have criminal histories, specifically citing individuals charged with serious offenses such as “rape of a child, drug trafficking,” and others involved in “sexual assaults, simple assaults,” and those apprehended for “driving under the influence.”

“You name it, they’re on the target list,” Hyde added.

This enforcement effort has unfolded despite the state’s restrictive stance on local law enforcement working with ICE. Hyde pointed out that agents managed to conduct arrests, although they faced disruptions from left-leaning “agitators” who attempted to obstruct their actions on site.

The federal initiative follows a notable clash with local authorities. Last week, Mayor Mark Dion of Portland expressed his “outrage” regarding the arrival of ICE personnel, saying that their presence disrupts the community.

“Our community is anxious and fearful regarding the understanding that ICE is planning to send agents to Portland and Lewiston next week. We are a welcoming city. There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents. In that view, Portland rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods,” he asserted. “While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach to the enforcement of federal statutes. The consequence of law enforcement should not be chaos and violence, which only results in making Portland less safe.”

“I urge our residents to look out for one another. Know your rights and have a plan of action if ICE stops you on the street, visits your home, or arrives at your business or place of employment. As a reminder, Portland Police do not cooperate with ICE and they do not participate in enforcing federal immigration law,” he continued.

“The City Council and I stand, not apart, but with our lawfully admitted immigrant and refugee communities.”

Mayor David Morse from Westbrook voiced similar views on Wednesday, condemning the federal tactics in his city.

“ICE has been actively conducting operations and detaining people in Westbrook yesterday and this morning. At least one peaceful US citizen observer from Westbrook was targeted for intimidation by a masked federal law enforcement officer this morning,” he wrote. “This is outrageous behavior from a federal authority, and I stand by our citizens’ rights to peacefully observe and/or protest.”

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, also commented on the operation.

“Governor [Janet] Mills and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens. We have launched ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state. On the first day of operations, we arrested illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”