In brief
In a new enforcement action dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day,' the Trump administration has turned its focus to Maine, where immigrant communities, particularly from Africa, are feeling the heat from ICE arrests. Many local leaders, including Governor Janet Mills, have denounced the operations, calling them harmful to public safety and civil rights. The situation is causing widespread anxiety within communities that are vital to the local economy, as fears grow over the implications of large-scale immigration enforcement.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Trump administration is now targeting Maine in its mass deportation campaign, a state with relatively few residents in the United States illegally but a notable presence of refugees in its largest cities, particularly from Africa.
Reports of immigration arrests have instilled fear in the immigrant communities of Portland and Lewiston, prompting backlash from Governor Janet Mills and other Democrats. Mills has signaled a refusal to assist ICE agents by issuing undercover license plates for their vehicles.
The Department of Homeland Security named the operation 'Catch of the Day,' a nod to Maine’s seafood industry, similar to previous enforcement operations in other states. The reported target of 1,000 residents for arrest makes this operation significant.
Portland and Lewiston are home to thousands of residents of African descent, particularly from Somalia, while Somali immigration to Maine has increased since the early 2000s.
The presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents causes great anxiety in Portland, highlighted by city council member Pious Ali, a native of Ghana. He stated, 'Our schools have seen about a quarter of immigrants not showing up' and emphasized the contributions immigrants make to local hospitals and hotels.
Dozens of arrests
The enforcement action comes as ICE's operations across the nation face scrutiny. As of Tuesday, the operation led to 50 arrests, with more than 1,000 targets reported statewide.
ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde declared the initiative aims to apprehend 'the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens', citing convictions for serious crimes.
No new undercover license plates
The Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, decided against issuing undercover plates to ICE, expressing concerns over potential misuse. The move attracted criticism from state Republicans, who believe it jeopardizes public safety.
Responses from Leaders
Governor Mills and several mayors have pushed back against ICE's aggressive tactics, arguing that they are not warranted given the absence of significant criminal threats in their communities. Many local leaders have acknowledged the anxiety this situation has fostered in immigrant populations.
The overarching sentiment among local Democrats condemns ICE's presence in Maine as political theater rather than a genuine public safety initiative.
