Trump Admin Launches 'Operation Catch of the Day' in Maine

The Trump administration started arresting immigrants in Maine on Tuesday as part of "Operation Catch of the Day."

The Details: Nearly 50 immigrants have been arrested so far in Lewiston and Portland, Maine, as a result of this Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation. ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said the agency has approximately 1,400 targets in the state. Two US officials reportedly said the operation intends to target Somali immigrants, according to New York Times (Lean Left bias).

Key Quotes: Department of Homeland Security Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said, "We arrested illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child." In a statement released on January 14, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) said, "To the federal government I say this: if your plan is to come here to be provocative and to undermine the civil rights of Maine residents, do not be confused—those tactics are not welcome here."

How the Media Covered It: The Hill (Center) reported that Lewiston and Portland, the two largest cities in Maine, have significant Somali populations and that "Somali Americans have been targeted by the Trump administration's escalating presence in Minnesota." New York Times noted that the mayors of Portland and Lewiston, as well as the governor of Maine, "clashed with Trump" in 2025. However, it also included Portland Mayor Mark Dion's statement to residents, saying, "The best thing you can do is to be the best possible witness, should the facts that come before you be needed by any future investigation." Daily Mail (Lean Right) noted that though school attendance seems to be down for students who are immigrants, Portland public schools announced they will prevent ICE agents from entering campuses. 

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.