News|Donald Trump‘Catch of the day’: Trump launches new ICE immigration crackdown in MaineThe Trump administration singles out Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, as one of the reasons for the ICE operation.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has initiated an immigration enforcement operation in the state of Maine called "Operation Catch of the Day." This operation commenced on Tue, Jan 20, 2026, and is part of broader federal immigration…
The United States Department of Homeland Security has initiated an immigration enforcement operation in the state of Maine called "Operation Catch of the Day." This operation commenced on Tue, Jan 20, 2026, and is part of broader federal immigration efforts.
The operation aims to detain individuals deemed as "criminal illegal aliens." According to an official statement, the operation has already resulted in 50 arrests, with 1,400 individuals identified for potential detention. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted the arrest of individuals from Sudan, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Angola, citing crimes such as aggravated assault and endangerment of a child's welfare.
The operation has been met with mixed responses from local officials in Maine. Mayor Mark Dion of Portland expressed concerns about the approach taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), advocating for more focused and less intimidating enforcement tactics. Despite these concerns, he noted that the activities in Maine appear to be more individualized compared to previous operations in other states.
The operation aims to detain individuals deemed as "criminal illegal aliens." According to an official statement, the operation has already resulted in 50 arrests, with 1,400 individuals identified for potential detention.
Governor Janet Mills has emphasized the state's commitment to protecting the safety and civil rights of its residents, urging federal agencies to avoid provocative actions that could undermine local trust and security.
The operation occurs amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Governor Mills, who have previously clashed over various policy issues. This political backdrop has heightened scrutiny and concern over federal actions in Maine.
Governor Mills, who is term-limited, plans to run for the US Senate in the upcoming 2026 election cycle, challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
