ICE Launches Crackdown in Maine Called “Operation Catch of the Day”

The Department of Homeland Security crudely refers to its latest immigration crackdown in Maine as follows: “Operation Catch of the Day“, as he prepares to hunt and catch immigrants like lobsters.

“These masked men who disregard the rule of law are causing long-term damage to our state and our country,” said Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline. said Wednesday. “Lewiston upholds the dignity of all people who call Maine home.”

Maine’s two largest cities, Portland and Lewiston, have large Somali populations and were already on edge as the Trump administration continued its racist targeting of the group. The very name of the operation speaks to the inhumanity with which these agents treat people.

DHS said the operation began Tuesday with a series of arrests. It is unclear how long ICE agents will be stationed in Maine, or whether Border Patrol agents currently in Minneapolis will then travel to Maine.

“ICE has been operating in Maine for some time. But now they are threatening to escalate their brutality and spread what we saw in Minneapolis across our state,” said Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. said on X last week, before offering strategies for community members to combat aggressive immigration agents. “We will not let masked officers come to Maine and terrorize our communities. We will not be intimidated. This is our home.”

Maine is our home and we will not let ICE agents terrorize our communities without resistance.
What to expect in the coming days and what you can do about it: pic.twitter.com/9N1hIyvcug

– Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) January 17, 2026