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Reports of ICE Activity Surge Across Maine
Volunteer hotline logs nearly 650 sightings in first week of federal immigration enforcement operation
Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:55pm
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According to data from the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition's ICE hotline, Mainers have reported sightings of federal immigration agents in over 50 towns across the state during the first week of a massive immigration enforcement operation dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day'. The majority of calls came from Maine's largest cities, but agents were also spotted in smaller coastal and mountain towns.
Why it matters
This surge in reported ICE activity has raised concerns among immigrant communities and advocates about the scope and targets of the federal immigration enforcement operation in Maine. There are questions about whether agents are only apprehending those with criminal records, as claimed by authorities, or also sweeping up immigrants without criminal histories who are in the process of seeking legal status.
The details
The volunteer-run ICE hotline logged nearly 650 sightings in the seven days since the enforcement operation began on January 20. Of those calls, 536 contained locations that were spread out over 56 towns - from as far south as Kittery to as far north as Stockholm in Aroostook County. The majority of calls came from Maine's largest immigrant hubs, with Portland accounting for the most (168), followed by South Portland (94) and Westbrook (51). There were also large clusters of reports in Lewiston (24) and Biddeford (36). However, callers also spotted ICE agents in smaller coastal towns like Bath and Bar Harbor, along the I-95 corridor in Gardiner and Richmond, and in western mountain towns like Bethel.
- The ICE enforcement operation, dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day', began on January 20, 2026.
- The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition's ICE hotline logged nearly 650 sightings in the seven days since the operation began.
The players
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
A volunteer-run organization that operates an ICE hotline to track and verify reports of federal immigration enforcement activity across Maine.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency that oversees the country's primary immigration enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
What’s next
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has claimed the Maine operation has targeted criminals and netted more than 200 people, but media reports show federal agents have also swept up immigrants without criminal records, who held work permits, and were in the process of seeking a path to legal status or citizenship. The full scope and targets of the operation remain under scrutiny.
The takeaway
This surge in reported ICE activity across Maine has raised concerns about the scale and focus of the federal immigration enforcement operation, with questions about whether agents are only apprehending those with criminal records or also targeting immigrants without criminal histories who are in the process of seeking legal status. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and uncertainty around immigration enforcement in the state.
