Federal Immigration Operations in Maine: "Operation Catch of the Day" Concludes
Federal immigration enforcement operations, named "Operation Catch of the Day," were conducted in Maine, leading to the reported arrest of over 200 individuals and generating significant concern from state officials, immigrant rights groups, and community members. Senator Susan Collins announced the conclusion of these enhanced operations, a statement that initially received varied reactions and a lack of immediate independent confirmation from federal agencies.
Overview of Operations and Arrests
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine on January 21. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the operation's objective was to arrest 1,400 individuals identified as being in the country illegally. These targets were described by DHS as "egregious criminal alien offenders" or individuals "charged and convicted of horrific crimes." ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde indicated the agency had compiled a list of 1,400 individuals in Maine it intended to target.
Early reports indicated over 100 arrests, with subsequent figures reaching more than 200, and a specific report of 206 individuals detained during the operation. DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, reiterated claims that some apprehended individuals had convictions for crimes including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
However, court records reportedly presented a more nuanced picture, with some detainees having felony convictions, others facing unresolved immigration proceedings, or being arrested without a criminal conviction. For example, federal authorities cited Elmara Correia for "endangering the welfare of a child," though her former partner stated he did not believe charges were brought.
Immigrant rights groups observed ICE operations focusing on Portland and Lewiston, Maine's two largest cities. Organizers reported agents targeting African nationals from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola, many of whom were described as asylum seekers residing in the state.
State and Local Concerns Mount
Maine Governor Janet Mills stated that the administration had not responded to her inquiries since the operation began. She reported instances of people with no criminal records being detained and urged federal law enforcement to be transparent. Governor Mills expressed skepticism regarding the claim of 1,400 individuals with criminal backgrounds, requesting warrants for arrests and criticizing "secret arrests or secret police."
She also noted widespread fear among residents, reportedly affecting schools, workplaces, and businesses due to employees being detained or not reporting for work, despite having legal status. Reports included up to 20% student absenteeism in some schools.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce reported that one of his corrections officer recruits, who had permission to work in Maine, was arrested by ICE. Sheriff Joyce stated a discrepancy existed between official narratives and events occurring on the ground. He later reported that ICE officials moved approximately 50 detainees from the Cumberland County Jail in Portland, the state's primary detention hub, following a disagreement with the federal agency. The current location of these detainees was undisclosed, as Maine does not have a dedicated immigration detention facility.
Allegations of Enforcement Tactics and Legal Challenges
Immigrant rights groups and attorneys raised concerns about ICE's enforcement tactics, reporting incidents such as:
- Agents allegedly entering apartment building lobbies.
- Agents reportedly following immigrant children from school.
- Racial profiling, with individuals reportedly "abducted from their cars off the street" or "stalking grocery stores and schools," according to ILAP's executive director.
- An incident where a federal agent reportedly told Cristian Vaca, an Ecuadorian immigrant with valid status, that they would "come back for your whole family" when he declined to exit his home.
- Kelli Brennan, a nurse, recounted an incident where ICE officers reportedly followed her and a naturalized U.S. citizen co-worker, during which an officer allegedly stated, "I’m gonna arrest three more families today, just for you."
- Derek Ellis, a construction worker, reported witnessing three ICE agents approach a Black woman with a child in a grocery store parking lot, stating the woman, who was screaming that she was a U.S. citizen, was removed from her car and handcuffed.
Legal challenges were complicated by a September federal board of immigration appeals ruling that removed eligibility for bond release for individuals who crossed the U.S. border unlawfully. Attorneys reported increasingly utilizing habeas petitions to challenge detention, noting that these petitions must be filed in the jurisdiction where a detainee is held, making quick transfers challenging. Lawyers stated they were "racing against the clock" to file necessary documents.
Family members and immigration attorneys worked to locate detainees, with federal authorities transferring individuals out of state. Attorneys noted that out-of-state transfers make individuals harder to reach and increase the likelihood of removal from the U.S. Maine's Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) reported that at least eight Maine residents had been transferred to Louisiana. One individual reportedly described being held with approximately 100 men in tents near an active tarmac. ILAP reported receiving calls from fearful individuals, including a pregnant woman afraid to leave her home for a medical appointment, and provided emergency legal assistance to over 60 people since the operations began.
Conclusion of Enhanced Operations Announced Amidst Skepticism
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced on Thursday that ICE had concluded its enhanced operations in Maine. Senator Collins stated this followed communications with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly informed Collins that "ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine." Collins added that there were no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations in the state and that ICE and Customs and Border Patrol would continue their standard, long-standing operations.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) issued a statement noting that her office could not independently confirm the announcement due to a lack of information from DHS, despite repeated requests. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline described the scale-down as positive, characterizing the ICE operations as "disastrous" for the community.
DHS did not immediately provide a comment regarding Senator Collins' announcement. A DHS spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the suspension of the operation in Maine, stating DHS would "continue to enforce the law across the country." The spokesperson also denied allegations of racial profiling by ICE agents, calling them "disgusting, reckless and categorically false," and cited the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on "reasonable suspicion" for arrests under the Fourth Amendment.
Despite the announcement of cessation, residents and labor unions, including the Maine AFL-CIO, expressed skepticism, citing continued fear and disruption. Matt Schlobohm of the Maine AFL-CIO stated the operation generated widespread fear and outrage, impacting workers' lives, while Todd Chretien, an organizer, reported a devastating economic impact. Community responses included protests and organizing efforts.