Maine ICE Operations Spark Debate Over Criminal Detentions

Tue Feb 03 2026 21:04:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement's recent operations in Maine, dubbed 'Operation Catch of the Day', claim to target dangerous criminals. However, court records reveal a more complex picture, raising questions about the justification for detentions.

ICE announced over 100 detentions during its recent operation in Maine, stating that they apprehended serious criminals. Yet, court records indicated many detainees were linked to minor offenses or unresolved immigration issues. Critics, including local officials and immigration lawyers, argue that the operation targets individuals lacking significant criminal backgrounds and disrupts ongoing immigration proceedings. The legality and ethics of such enforcement measures have come under scrutiny.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has highlighted its recent operations in Maine, asserting that they targeted some of the state’s most dangerous criminals. This initiative, termed Operation Catch of the Day, led to the detention of over 100 individuals statewide. However, court records provide a more nuanced view of these arrests.

Your ICE released a statement claiming to have apprehended repeat offenders in heinous crimes, including child abuse and hostage-taking. But many of detainees had less severe criminal records or unresolved immigration cases, prompting alarm from local advocates and legal representatives.

style=width:100%; — Immigration attorneys and local officials express concerns about the nature of detentions.

Court records show that while some individuals were violent offenders, many others were charged with lesser crimes or had pending immigration proceedings. For instance, Elmara Correia, highlighted by ICE in its media promotion, faced only a dismissed charge concerning learner's permits.

Portland's Mayor Mark Dion criticized ICE for failing to differentiate between mere arrests and actual convictions, questioning whether such actions justified labeling people as the worst of the worst.

Legal experts are challenging the detention of clients, including those with no significant criminal backgrounds, and filing habeas petitions to block transfers from local custody. The mix of serious and minor offenses among those detained raises fundamental ethical and legal questions regarding ICE’s operation methods across the state.