DHS Launches Major Immigration Enforcement Operation Across Maine Targeting 1,400 Individuals

2026-01-22 politics

Portland, Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
Federal authorities initiated “Operation Catch of the Day” on January 20, 2026, marking a significant escalation in Maine. While 50 arrests are confirmed, the campaign targets 1,400 individuals, sparking intense conflict between state officials and federal agents.

Operational Scope and Federal Directives

The enforcement campaign, confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials as “Operation Catch of the Day,” represents a sharp pivot in federal immigration strategy within New England [1][2]. Launched on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the operation is explicitly designed to apprehend non-citizens with criminal records, with federal agents identifying approximately 1,400 specific targets across the state [2][3]. As of Wednesday, January 21, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested roughly 50 individuals [1][7]. This initial arrest count represents approximately 3.571% of the total target list, indicating that federal activity in the region is likely to persist or intensify in the coming days.

Community Impact and Local Opposition

The sudden influx of federal agents has triggered immediate and palpable disruptions within Maine’s communities, particularly in the southern region. On the morning of January 20, reports of ICE activity prompted brief lockouts at Deering High School and Lincoln Middle School in Portland as a precautionary measure [2][7]. The visible presence of federal law enforcement has drawn sharp condemnation from local officials. Portland City Councilor Wes Pelletier described the situation as a “war of terror” being waged on the city, noting that people of various ages were being detained [1]. Similarly, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline characterized the agency’s actions as “terror and intimidation tactics” that display a lack of concern for basic human welfare [2][7].

Summary of Analysis

Operation Catch of the Day highlights a deepening jurisdictional fracture between federal immigration enforcement and state-level governance in Maine. While DHS maintains that the operation is strictly focused on removing individuals with serious criminal convictions—citing specific examples of violent offenders—the broad scope of 1,400 targets and the “paramilitary” nature of the execution described by Portland Mayor Mark Dion have generated significant civic instability [1][3]. With only a fraction of the targets apprehended in the first 48 hours, the conflict between the Trump administration’s enforcement mandates and Maine’s local leadership is poised to continue.

Sources

Homeland Security Immigration enforcement