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 over the last week have struck fear in immigrant communities of Portland and Lewiston and prompted backlash from Governor Janet Mills and other Democrats, including a refusal to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in issuing undercover license plates to mask the identity of their vehicles.
The Department of Homeland Security has branded the operation 'Catch of the Day,' an apparent nod to Maine’s seafood industry, similar to previous enforcement efforts such as 'Metro Surge' in Minnesota. With a reported arrest target of 1,000 residents in Maine, this operation marks a significant increase in enforcement, although it is not the largest of its kind.
Portland and Lewiston have thousands of residents of African descent, notably from Somalia, where immigration surged in the early 2000s. These communities are now feeling the pressure as ICE agents move in, leading to increased absenteeism in schools and workplaces.
City council member Pious Ali, a native of Ghana, expressed the anxiety gripping Portland, noting that approximately 25% of immigrant families have not reported to schools due to fear. Our community's economic engine consists of immigrants working in hospitals, schools, and hotels, Ali stated. He criticized ICE for instilling fear through aggressive tactics and urged for a more humane approach in their enforcement methods.
Dozens of Arrests
The enforcement action, part of a broader strategy being deployed amid rising tensions around immigration practices, was explained by ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde, who confirmed that 50 arrests had already been made. The operation seeks to apprehend individuals with criminal records, including serious offenses.
Local officials, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, have resisted federal requests for undercover license plates, arguing such measures raise security concerns. The absence of these plates has led some to claim that safety is at stake.
Governor Mills and various community leaders have voiced strong opposition to the administration's approach, advocating for civil rights and urging that aggressive enforcement actions causing community distress are unwelcome. Lewiston’s Mayor Carl Sheline also conveyed the notable anxiety coming from these enforcement actions.
In response to the unrest surrounding ICE’s presence, Portland Public Schools confirmed they conducted a brief lockout at two schools over immigration enforcement concerns, which was quickly deemed unnecessary.
Local Democrats have openly condemned the operations as fear tactics, with party officials asserting that this is not about public safety but rather a strategy of control and political theatrics.
