The Trump administration has launched a new immigration enforcement drive in Maine, moving federal agents into a state known for its long-standing refugee communities, including a large population of Somali immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the effort—dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day”—began earlier this week and is aimed, according to federal officials, at people accused of criminal activity. More than 100 agents have been deployed across the state, with officials indicating that refugee communities are a central focus of the operation.
The arrival of federal teams has sharpened tensions that were already simmering. Governor Janet Mills has openly pushed back, describing the administration’s approach as aggressive and unwelcome. She warned that many residents are fearful and said any federal action should be transparent and clearly justified.
Maine’s situation mirrors a broader national pattern. Since mid-2025, the Trump administration has concentrated enforcement resources in states and cities led by Democrats, sending thousands of agents into places like Minnesota. The president has defended the strategy as essential for public safety, even as reports show many people taken into custody face no criminal accusations.
Trump has also singled out Somali immigrants in recent remarks, following the exposure of a fraud case in Minnesota involving some Somali Americans. Those comments have fueled anger and anxiety in communities far from the Midwest, including in Maine.
Political stakes are high. Immigration is expected to loom large in the state’s upcoming elections, with Governor Mills seeking a U.S. Senate seat and national control of Congress hanging in the balance.
Public opinion has shifted in recent months as images of raids, neighborhood sweeps, and clashes with demonstrators spread nationwide. That unease deepened after a fatal shooting involving a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month, an incident that intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics.
In Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city and a hub for Somali and other refugee families, local leaders say the federal presence is already being felt. Mayor Carl Sheline reported a noticeable increase in immigration agents and condemned what he described as tactics rooted in fear rather than respect. Lewiston, he said, stands for the dignity of everyone who calls the state home.
Federal officials have rejected criticism from state and city leaders, accusing them of shielding people who should be removed and insisting the operation is meant to protect residents.
As agents fan out across Maine, the clash between federal authority and local resistance is shaping up to be another flashpoint in a national debate that shows no sign of cooling.
