The Trump administration has escalated its immigration enforcement efforts with a targeted operation in Maine, named Operation Catch of the Day, which has led to the arrest of approximately 50 individuals, primarily from Somali immigrant communities. This initiative, reported by the New York Times, involves a surge of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployed to the north-eastern state, known for its ocean fishing industry.
Details of the Operation
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of ICE, the operation officially commenced on Tuesday. In a statement provided to the Guardian, DHS highlighted that some of those arrested include criminal illegal aliens convicted of horrific crimes such as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. However, the government has only released criminal histories for four out of the roughly 50 arrestees, leaving the backgrounds of the others undisclosed.
Expanding Enforcement Efforts
This move follows similar crackdowns in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in recent weeks, which have sparked protests and criticism over the forceful methods employed by ICE and border patrol officers. These actions have targeted both individuals pursued for deportation and activists warning communities about immigration enforcement activities. The large Somali American community in Minnesota has been a repeated focus for Donald Trump, as evidenced by his social media posts calling for their removal.
Community Impact and Response
In Maine, the Somali community began forming in the early 2000s when refugees settled in Lewiston, and it has since grown with asylum seekers from various African nations. Despite Maine's largely white and older population, many businesses have increasingly relied on immigrant workers to address labor shortages, as native-born workers retire or leave the workforce.
Patricia Hyde, deputy assistant director of ICE, confirmed to Fox News that close to 50 people have been detained in Maine as part of this enforcement surge. She also revealed that ICE has compiled a list of 1,400 individuals in the state intended for targeting. Notably, in TV footage aired by Fox News, ICE officers making arrests were masked with blurred faces, while the faces of those apprehended were not obscured.
Official Warnings and Local Reactions
Ahead of the operation, the US attorney's office in Maine issued a statement on Monday urging peaceful protests. Andrew Benson, the US attorney in the state, warned that anyone assaulting federal officers or obstructing law enforcement would face federal prosecution. In response, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline noted an increased ICE presence in the city and encouraged residents to remain calm and support one another.
Broader Context and Policy Changes
This crackdown coincides with the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis living in the US, giving hundreds of people two months to depart or face removal. The administration had previously signaled plans to revoke protections for Somali nationals, with Trump posting on Truth Social about Minnesota's Somali population, alleging gang activity and calling for their deportation.
The operation has drawn parallels to recent events in Minneapolis, where ICE faced criticism after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer, followed by the FBI excluding local prosecutors from the investigation. Thousands of enforcement officers have been mobilized to Minnesota, highlighting the administration's intensified focus on immigration enforcement in regions with significant Somali communities.
