Maine's ICE Surge Ends, but Detained Immigrants Scattered Across US

Hundreds arrested during federal immigration operation now face uncertainty about release or deportation

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:07pm

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A federal immigration enforcement operation in Maine known as "Operation Catch of the Day" appeared to end after a week, but the fate of over 200 people arrested remains uncertain. Many of those detained were quickly transported to detention centers in other states, making it difficult for them to access legal representation and raising concerns about their chances of being released or deported.

Why it matters

The immigration raid in Maine sparked protests and criticism over the tactics used by federal agents, who arrested many immigrants without criminal records who were seeking asylum. The scattering of detainees across the country adds to the uncertainty and challenges they face in navigating the immigration system and accessing legal support.

The details

During the first five days of the operation, federal officials say over 200 people were arrested. Many were quickly transported to detention centers in other states, including as far as Louisiana. Advocates and public officials who criticized the federal agents' tactics say enforcement will likely continue, but sightings of agents have decreased. A hotline run by the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition logged a notable drop in calls about possible ICE sightings in recent days.

  • The federal immigration enforcement operation in Maine, dubbed "Operation Catch of the Day", began on January 20, 2026.
  • On January 26, 2026, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that federal officials had told her the operation was over.

The players

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency responsible for the immigration enforcement operation in Maine.

Marcos Da Silva

An immigrant detained in Portland, Maine during the operation.

Alex

The wife of Marcos Da Silva, who had difficulty locating her husband after his detainment.

Panagioti Tsolkas

A spokesperson for the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, which ran a hotline to log calls about possible ICE sightings.

Alejandra Oliva

A spokesperson for the National Immigrant Justice Center, who discussed the challenges faced by immigrants detained during similar enforcement operations.

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What they’re saying

“I was born here, raised here. I was taught that this is the land of liberty and justice, and that we had a higher moral code than this, and that was our power. How are we going to recover from this?”

— Alex, Wife of Marcos Da Silva

“It's a decrease, but not nothing. It's not comforting.”

— Panagioti Tsolkas, Spokesperson, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition

What’s next

The fate of the over 200 people arrested during the immigration operation remains uncertain, as many have been transported to detention centers in other states, making it difficult for them to access legal representation and increasing the challenges they face in potentially being released or deported.

The takeaway

The immigration raid in Maine has highlighted the ongoing tensions and uncertainties surrounding federal immigration enforcement, with the scattering of detainees across the country adding to the difficulties faced by immigrants and their advocates in navigating the complex and often opaque immigration system.