U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 200 illegal aliens in Maine in just five days as part of a targeted surge ordered by the Trump administration.
However, the successful crackdown has sparked sharp backlash from Maine’s Democrat Governor Janet Mills.
In a statement, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said:
“The brave men and women of ICE have already arrested more than 200 illegal aliens in Maine in the last five days.
“Some of the arrests of the worst of the worst from the first day of operations include criminal illegal aliens charged with and convicted of horrific crimes, including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child,” she added.
The arrests are part of Operation Catch of the Day, a DHS-led enforcement initiative launched last week across Maine under the direction of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The operation prioritizes what DHS describes as the most dangerous offenders living in the state illegally.
Mills Calls for ICE Withdrawal
Gov. Mills has demanded that President Donald Trump withdraw federal immigration agents from Maine and said she wants to meet with the president personally to press the issue.
“I’m hearing that many of the people being detained, or on that list, I think, are family members here in Maine, people who are working here in Maine, people who have children in the school system, people who have children in homes in Maine, people with no criminal record, and that’s concerning,” Mills said.
On Saturday, Mills issued a separate statement condemning the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis.
She used the incident to again demand that ICE leave Maine entirely.
The governor accused ICE agents of acting in an “untrained and reckless” manner and claimed their presence poses a public safety threat.
Mills Attacks Susan Collins Amid Senate Race
The Democrat governor also turned her fire on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), whom she is expected to challenge politically, accusing the Republican lawmaker of failing to rein in ICE despite her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The criticism came after Collins warned that a government shutdown would be “extremely harmful” and urged lawmakers to pass a six-bill funding package ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline.
Collins said she had spoken with Secretary Noem about ICE operations in Maine but declined to provide details, instead pointing to provisions in the funding bill that include money for body-worn cameras, inspector general oversight of detention facilities, and de-escalation training.
Mills responded angrily on X.
“Are you kidding me, @SenSusanCollins?” she wrote.
“Your concerns over the killing of a young man are meaningless since you don’t have the courage do anything about it as ICE invades our state,” Mills added.
“You are the chair of the committee that funds the government.
“Hold them accountable.”
Are you kidding me, @SenSusanCollins?
Your concerns over the killing of a young man are meaningless since you don't have the courage do anything about it as ICE invades our state.
You are the chair of the committee that funds the government. Hold them accountable. https://t.co/xH30gVUq6B
— Janet Mills (@JanetMillsforME) January 26, 2026
Trump Administration Presses Forward
Despite Democratic opposition, DHS officials have made clear that enforcement operations will continue.
The operations remain focused on removing criminal illegal aliens from American communities.
The arrests in Maine come as the Trump administration accelerates immigration enforcement nationwide.
Trump, meanwhile, has remained firm and is rejecting calls from Democrat governors and activists to halt operations amid ongoing protests and political pressure.
READ MORE – Nurses Vow to Refuse Treatment for Trump Supporters, Urge Public to Harm ICE Agents
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