Maine Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday responded to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s launch of “Operation Catch of the Day” in the state.
In a public release, Mills assured state residents that her administration would work to uphold the law and protect residents, stating:
If the Federal government has warrants, then it should show them. But if they are separating working mothers from young children, solely because they sought freedom here and have committed no crime, then the Federal government is only sowing intimidation and fear and fostering division and suspicion among neighbors—none of which is welcome.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the operation yesterday, which purports to target the “worst criminal illegal aliens” in Maine. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that “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.” Various arrests have already been made, including people charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Just last week, Mills released a statement in anticipation of upcoming federal law enforcement operations in Maine, and she said that her “administration is taking proactive steps to prepare…the Maine State Police to work closely with local law enforcement, as necessary, to provide whatever support is needed.”
Operation Catch of the Day comes during a surge of ICE activity across the country, joining operations in North Carolina, Chicago, and Minnesota. In a December 2025 press release, DHS boasted that it was “shattering records” and had deported around 605,000 individuals from the United States.
Only about four percent of Maine’s population is comprised of immigrants, in stark contrast to states like California and Florida, which have immigration populations of about 27 and 22 percent, respectively. Maine officials continue to respond to and condemn increased ICE activity in their state.
