Trump’s ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ Hits Maine: 1,000 Targets and Deepening Anxiety

1,000 residents are in the crosshairs. The Trump administration has launched a major immigration enforcement surge in Maine, a state known more for its quiet coastal towns than federal crackdowns. Dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day,” the initiative has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities from Portland to Lewiston.

Local Backlash to Operation Catch of the Day Maine ICE 2026

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that increased enforcement began on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde reported that 50 arrests were made on the first day alone. While officials claim the operation targets the “worst of the worst” criminals, the fallout is being felt across the board. In Portland, school officials noted that nearly 25% of immigrant students failed to show up for class as fear of deportation keeps families indoors.

State-Federal Confrontation Over Undercover Plates

The enforcement has sparked a tense standoff between state leaders and federal agencies. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows recently denied a federal request for confidential, undercover license plates for ICE vehicles, citing concerns over power abuses.

Governor Janet Mills and other Democrats have condemned the tactics as “political theater.” Conversely, Republican Senate Leader Trey Stewart argued that withholding support puts the state at a dangerous extreme. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson has warned that anyone obstructing the federal agents will face prosecution.