ICE Operations Ignite Fear in Maine as Trump Administration Targets Immigrants

Thu Jan 22 2026 02:11:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Maine's immigrant communities are on edge as the Trump administration launches 'Operation Catch of the Day,' increasing ICE presence in Portland and Lewiston amidst fears and local backlash.

Recent ICE operations, dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day,' have instilled anxiety among immigrant communities in Maine, especially in Portland and Lewiston, where many residents are from Africa. While the administration aims to arrest 1,000 individuals, local leaders and community members express concerns about civil rights violations and the impact on local economies. Backlash from state officials, including Governor Janet Mills, has emerged, questioning the necessity and methods of these enforcement actions.

ICE Operations Ignite Fear in Maine as Trump Administration Targets Immigrants

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Trump administration's mass deportation campaign has now reached Maine, a state traditionally not known for illegal immigration but one that has a significant refugee presence, particularly from African nations. This sudden focus has led to concerns and fears among immigrant communities in cities like Portland and Lewiston.

In the last week, residents reported increased ICE sightings, prompting pushback from local leaders, including Governor Janet Mills, who has stated her administration will not assist ICE in obscuring their operations, such as by issuing undercover license plates. The Department of Homeland Security has branded this operation Catch of the Day, continuing with the trend of thematic enforcement initiatives seen in other states.

Brought to the forefront by Fox News reports, the goal to arrest 1,000 individuals in Maine has caused alarm despite the state's relatively low number of undocumented residents. Reports indicate that as many as fifty individuals may have been arrested already in the operation's early stages.

Communities, particularly those with high populations of Somali and other African refugees, are experiencing heightened anxiety, with city officials stating that around a quarter of immigrant students have stopped attending school due to fear of being apprehended.

City Council member Pious Ali, a Ghana native, expressed concern for those contributing to essential services in the community, stating, “There are immigrants who live here who work in our hospitals, they work in our schools, they work in our hotels, they are part of the economic engine of our community.”

Major backlash came when Secretary of State Shenna Bellows refused to grant ICE the undercover license plates they sought for unmarked vehicles, highlighting worries of misuse after abuses of power in other states.

The fear surrounding these operations is echoed by local leaders and law enforcement officials who advocate for peaceful demonstrations, calling for consideration of immigrants' contributions rather than enforcement actions viewed as overly aggressive.

As the situation develops, schools and community organizations in Maine are maintaining vigilance, emphasizing the need for civil rights and protections for all residents.