In a decisive move spearheaded by the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has initiated a sweeping operation in Maine titled “Operation Catch of the Day.” This campaign, launched on Tuesday, aims to apprehend criminal illegal immigrants who have been convicted of violent offenses, aligning with directives from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The focus of this operation is sharply trained on individuals guilty of crimes that pose a significant threat to public safety and child welfare. On its inaugural day, ICE agents succeeded in arresting more than 50 individuals. According to Patricia Hyde, Deputy Assistant Director of ICE, there is a list of approximately 1,400 targets within the state.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has clarified that the initiative is targeting what it considers the most dangerous offenders. This includes those convicted of severe crimes such as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and offenses endangering the welfare of children, all residing illegally within Maine’s borders.
This enforcement action by ICE is set against a backdrop of ongoing tension between federal agencies and local Maine authorities regarding cooperation in immigration enforcement. The DHS has voiced concerns over jurisdictions that, in its view, restrict the arrest of criminal illegal aliens, prompting a more aggressive stance from the administration.
ICE launched a major enforcement operation in Maine, arresting over 50 criminal illegal aliens as DHS targets violent offenders under President Trump. (Homeland Security)
DHS said the operation follows ongoing disagreements with Maine officials over cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and comes as the administration increases pressure on jurisdictions it says limit arrests of criminal illegal aliens.
“Governor Mills and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “We have launched Operation Catch of the Day to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state.”
“On the first day of operations, we arrested illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child,” she continued. “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”
Those taken into custody include Dominic Ali, a criminal illegal alien from Sudan convicted of false imprisonment, aggravated assault, assault, obstructing justice and violation of a protective order.
ICE also arrested Ambessa Berhe, a criminal illegal alien from Ethiopia convicted of aggravated assault and cocaine possession.
Elmara Correia, a criminal illegal alien from Angola who was previously arrested for endangering the welfare of a child, was also taken into custody.
DHS called out Maine Gov. Janet Mills for allegedly preferring to stand with criminal illegal aliens over protecting American citizens. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Another arrest involved Dany Lopez-Cortez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala convicted of operating under the influence of alcohol.
The Maine operation is part of Trump’s broader nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, a central pledge of his campaign.
Portland, Maine Mayor Mark Dion last week released a statement opposing a potential ICE presence in the area.
“Our community is anxious and fearful regarding the understanding that ICE is planning to send agents to Portland and Lewiston next week,” Dion said. “There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents. In that view, Portland rejects the need for the deployment of ICE agents into our neighborhoods.”
He added that the Portland Police Department does not cooperate with ICE and does not participate in enforcing federal immigration law.
