ICE Operations Intensify in Maine and Minneapolis, Sparking Protests

Immigration enforcement efforts have been significantly increased in Maine and Minneapolis, leading to over 100 arrests in Maine this week and triggering widespread protests and criticism. The operations, dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine, are part of a broader nationwide crackdown under the Trump administration.

Maine Faces Large-Scale ICE Arrests

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested over 100 people in Maine in the first three days of “Operation Catch of the Day,” focusing on areas around Greater Portland and Lewiston.

Governor Janet Mills has publicly criticized ICE’s tactics, stating that federal agents are operating like “secret police” and that state officials are being kept in the dark about the arrests. Meanwhile, Maine Republican leaders have urged Democrats to moderate their opposition to ICE. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce likewise criticized ICE agents’ tactics, describing an arrest of a county corrections officer as “bush-league policing.”

The operations are particularly notable in Maine, which has a sizable Somali population.

Minneapolis Also Targeted in Crackdown

Simultaneous with the Maine operations, ICE has also increased enforcement in Minneapolis. A father and his five-year-vintage son were recently taken into federal custody outside their Minneapolis-area home while pursuing an asylum claim. Vice President JD Vance has attributed the federal presence in Minneapolis to local officials, while also acknowledging the need for investigations into incidents involving ICE agents.

Protests Erupt in Portland, Maine

On Friday, January 30, 2026, over 1,000 people rallied in Portland, Maine, to protest ICE’s actions. The protest followed ICE’s announcement that it had arrested a total of 206 people in the state during the multi-day operation. Organizer Safiya Khalid spoke to the crowd, outlining community calls to action.

Legal Challenges and Concerns

Federal prosecutors faced scrutiny during a hearing regarding charges against three protesters who interrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, with an attorney for the protesters stating the government’s lawyers appeared “completely unprepared” and lacked understanding of the case facts.

The increased ICE activity has raised concerns about the scope of agents’ authority, with reports indicating immigration officers are asserting the power to enter homes without a warrant.