ICE Arrests Over 50 in Maine as Part of Operation Catch of the Day Targeting Criminal Illegal Aliens
AUGUSTA, Maine — In a sweeping immigration enforcement action, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Catch of the Day across Maine on Tuesday, arresting more than 50 individuals identified as criminal illegal aliens. The operation is part of a broader crackdown initiated under the Trump administration and overseen by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, focusing on offenders convicted of violent crimes and offenses that threaten public safety and child welfare.
According to ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde, the operation targets approximately 1,400 individuals living unlawfully in Maine who have prior convictions for serious offenses such as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment. The initiative prioritizes those deemed the most dangerous offenders, aiming to enhance community safety by removing individuals with violent criminal histories.
The arrests come amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts nationwide. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has emphasized its commitment to identifying and apprehending individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Operation Catch of the Day represents an expansion of these efforts into Maine, a state that has not traditionally been a primary focus for such large-scale immigration actions.
The Department of Homeland Security has underscored the importance of targeting criminal illegal aliens, particularly those whose offenses involve violence or endangerment of children. Secretary Noem has supported the initiative as part of a comprehensive strategy to enforce immigration laws more rigorously and to protect vulnerable communities.
While the operation has resulted in immediate arrests, officials indicate that the effort will continue in the coming weeks as agents work through the list of identified targets. The arrests were conducted with coordination among federal agents, and authorities have stressed that the operation was carefully planned to minimize disruption to communities.
Critics of aggressive immigration enforcement have expressed concern about the potential impact on immigrant communities and the risk of detaining individuals without due process. However, ICE officials maintain that the focus remains on those convicted of serious crimes and that the operation is a necessary step toward upholding the rule of law.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and related agencies reflect ongoing challenges at the border and within interior enforcement, driving the federal government’s push to intensify operations like Catch of the Day. The initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader immigration policy agenda, which has prioritized stringent enforcement measures.
As the operation unfolds, federal authorities continue to monitor its progress and impact. Community leaders and law enforcement officials in Maine are watching closely as the state experiences this significant federal enforcement action for the first time on such a scale.
For more information on immigration enforcement policies and updates on Operation Catch of the Day, visit the official ICE news portal and the Department of Homeland Security news site.
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