Maine Leaders Blast ICE Actions, Demand Transparency Amid Rising Fear

Governor, mayors, and lawmakers say recent arrests are harming families, schools, and housing stability across the state.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Maine's governor, attorney general, mayors, and state lawmakers held a roundtable to criticize recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the state, saying the arrests have targeted law-abiding community members and caused long-term harm. They are demanding more transparency from federal officials about the identities, legal basis, and locations of those detained.

Why it matters

The ICE actions in Maine have sparked widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities, impacting families, schools, and housing stability. State and local leaders are pushing back, arguing the enforcement tactics are harming residents and violating principles of transparency and due process.

The details

At the roundtable, Governor Janet Mills sharply criticized ICE, saying recent arrests have targeted people she describes as law-abiding members of their communities. Mayors from several cities shared stories of children missing school and families afraid to leave their homes due to the ICE actions. The state attorney general urged the public to report information that could support potential legal action against the Department of Homeland Security.

  • The Department of Homeland Security has said more than 200 people have been arrested in Maine since the start of its Operation Catch of the Day.
  • The roundtable was held on Wednesday.

The players

Governor Janet Mills

The governor of Maine who led the roundtable and criticized the ICE actions.

Aaron Frey

The attorney general of Maine who urged the public to report information that could support legal action against the Department of Homeland Security.

Mattie Daughtry

The Democratic state Senate president who participated in the roundtable.

Ryan Fecteau

The Democratic state House speaker who participated in the roundtable.

Mark Dion

The mayor of Portland, a former sheriff, who warned that evictions could become 'the new tsunami' following the ICE arrests.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't some third-world country; this is America.”

— Governor Janet Mills

“They've been taken from their families, dragged out of their cars, windows smashed, two corrections officers, law-abiding corrections officers.”

— Governor Janet Mills

“This is causing long-term harm to our communities. They need to leave Lewiston and our cities across the country now.”

— Carl Sheline, Mayor of Lewiston

“They're immigrants, some are asylum seekers. They all have legal work permits and are working in this country, getting paychecks, working for employers, having children in schools.”

— Victoria Morales, Executive Director of Project Home

What’s next

The governor has said she will continue to push for more transparency from federal officials about the ICE actions in Maine, including the identities, legal basis, and locations of those detained.

The takeaway

The ICE enforcement actions in Maine have sparked widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities, prompting state and local leaders to demand an end to the tactics and more transparency from federal authorities. The fallout from the arrests could lead to a surge in evictions, further destabilizing families and communities.