Federal immigration authorities have detained more than 200 individuals across Maine during a recent enforcement campaign known as “Operation Catch of the Day,” igniting widespread concern among immigrant families, educators, and state officials.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the operation is aimed at locating roughly 1,400 undocumented immigrants described as posing public safety risks. State leaders and advocacy organizations, however, say the scope of the arrests extends far beyond serious offenders, with numerous reports involving parents, caregivers, and individuals with no known criminal history.
Community advocates say the intensified enforcement has created fear across multiple cities, particularly in southern Maine. In several school districts, administrators report a noticeable decline in attendance as families avoid daily routines out of concern that immigration agents may be nearby. Teachers have described students voicing anxiety about the possibility of family members being detained.
One case that has drawn significant attention involves a young Ecuadorian asylum seeker and single parent detained last week while completing routine errands after dropping her child at school. The woman, who reportedly fled domestic abuse in her home country, was later released under supervision and reunited with her child following public scrutiny. State criminal records did not indicate prior offenses, and federal officials declined to discuss the specifics of her detention.
School systems have been forced to respond quickly. District leaders in Biddeford and Portland confirmed that parents of enrolled students were among those taken into custody. Maine’s education commissioner has advised school administrators to review procedures for interactions with federal agents and prepare for possible disruptions to staffing and classroom attendance.
Political opposition to the enforcement effort continues to grow. Maine’s attorney general announced plans to support a multistate legal action seeking to limit expanded immigration operations, joining nearly 20 states challenging the federal approach. Portland city officials are also weighing formal support for the lawsuit.
Governor Janet Mills has publicly criticized the operation, questioning the value of high-profile arrests carried out in front of children and families. Her remarks echo broader concerns raised by faith leaders, legal advocates, and community organizers who argue that the campaign undermines public trust and destabilizes families.
Protests and acts of civil disobedience have followed. In Portland, religious leaders staged a demonstration at a U.S. senator’s office, resulting in multiple arrests for trespassing. Meanwhile, immigrant advocacy groups report an influx of emergency legal requests and continue to operate hotlines to track ICE activity statewide.
Officials in Minnesota, where similar enforcement actions have taken place, have expressed solidarity with Maine communities. Education leaders there described tense encounters near schools during past operations and warned of long-term effects on student well-being.
Federal authorities maintain that the operation remains focused on individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes, citing arrests related to violent offenses. As the enforcement campaign continues, it faces increasing legal scrutiny and growing debate over its impact on public safety, civil rights, and family stability.
Don’t miss reading “Federal Judge’s Contempt Warning Forces ICE to Release Detainee in Minnesota Case” – a must-read blog that sheds light on this pivotal legal moment.
