ICE activity increases in Maine as anxiety grows in immigrant communities

PORTLAND, Maine — The Trump administration is now targeting its mass deportation campaign on Maine, a state with relatively few residents in the United States illegally but a notable presence of African refugees in its largest cities.

The Department of Homeland Security named the operation ''Catch of the Day,'' an apparent play on Maine's seafood industry, just as it has done for other enforcement surges, like ''Metro Surge'' in Minnesota and ''Midway Blitz'' in Chicago.

Reports of a surge in immigration arrests have struck fear in immigrant communities of Portland and Lewiston and prompted backlash from Gov. Janet Mills and other Democrats, including a refusal to help ICE agents obscure the identity of their vehicles by issuing undercover license plates.

Citizens have formed networks to alert neighborhoods to the presence of ICE agents and bring food to immigrants in their homes. Portland's superintendent said the school district is developing an online learning plan for its students — more than half of whom aren't white. Many businesses have posted signs saying ICE agents aren't welcome.

''While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach,'' Portland Mayor Mark Dion said at a news conference Wednesday where he was joined by other local officials. ''This council doesn't stand apart from our immigrant communities, we stand with them.''

Portland and Lewiston have thousands of residents of African descent. Somali immigration accelerated in the early 2000s, leaving Maine with one of the nation's highest Somali populations.

Now the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents is causing great anxiety in Portland, said city council member Pious Ali, a native of Ghana.

ICE agents don't need to spread trauma by smashing doors and windows, he said: "The federal government has the ability to contact these people without unleashing fear into our communities.''

Another Portland city councilor said the enforcement activity has prompted residents to avoid leaving their homes, even for basic needs, and spurred informal networks to track the presence of immigration agents.

Councilor Wes Pelletier said business owners, teachers and college students have shared information to alert neighborhoods to enforcement activity, while volunteers have delivered groceries and diapers to families too afraid to go outside.

''Every arrest feels like a wound to Portland,'' the councilor said.

Dozens of arrests

ICE didn't respond to a request for comment Wednesday on the agency's plans for Maine, where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that increased enforcement began on Tuesday. ''We have approximately 1,400 targets here in Maine,'' Patricia Hyde, the ICE deputy assistant director, told Fox News, adding that agents had made 50 arrests by Tuesday.

''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,'' said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.

No new undercover license plates

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a longtime opponent of President Donald Trump, said state officials received a request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for confidential, undercover Maine license plates and decided against issuing them. The licenses plates are used on unmarked vehicles, and Bellows said she wants more assurance they will be used appropriately.

ICE's use of license plates in other states has raised concerns: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat, issued a warning to ICE agents last year that swapping or altering license plates is illegal.

Bellows, who has repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration, cited accountability concerns.

Customs and Border Protection did not respond to a request seeking comment, but a top Maine Republican said withholding the undercover plates would jeopardize public safety.

''That really, one, puts us at odds as a state. Puts us at one end of an extreme that we really shouldn't be on,'' Senate Leader Trey Stewart said.

Maine's top federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson, joined Democrats in calling for any demonstrations in the state to remain peaceful and civil. Benson, a Trump appointee, warned people to stay out of the agents' way or be prosecuted.

Mayor, governors speak out

''There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents,'' Dion said.

Schools, Democrats call for caution

Portland Public Schools, the largest and most diverse school district in the state, said in a statement Wednesday that it conducted a ''lockout'' at two schools to prevent anyone from entering the building during the school day Tuesday because of concerns about ICE activity nearby.

''It was quickly determined that there was no threat to our school communities and the lockouts were lifted within minutes. This is an understandably tense time in our community, as reports and rumors of immigration enforcement actions grow,'' the district's statement said.

Maine Democrats have condemned the ICE activity.