Maine—In a bold and decisive move, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, with critical support from local police, launched **“Operation Catch of the Day”** across Maine on January 22, 2026, targeting the state’s most dangerous criminal illegal aliens. The early-morning raids, coordinated across multiple counties, came despite repeated attempts by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to block local law enforcement from assisting federal authorities.
The operation, spearheaded by ICE and other federal immigration officials, focused squarely on **violent criminal aliens who have terrorized Maine communities**. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security made the stakes clear in a statement released January 21:
> “Governor Mills and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens. We have launched Operation Catch of the Day to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state. On the first day of operations, we arrested illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”
The raids were executed smoothly, with **minimal protest or obstruction**, thanks to the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies that refused to bow to political pressure. Gov. Mills, a longtime advocate for sanctuary policies, has repeatedly threatened penalties for police who assist federal agents, even signing off on legislation designed to prevent such cooperation—though the law has not yet gone into effect.
Unsurprisingly, left-wing activists and Democratic politicians reacted with outrage. Rep. Chellie Pingree slammed the operation, claiming ICE was “terrorizing communities” and vowing federal officers would be held “accountable for any illegal actions.” Gov. Mills, holding a press conference on the day of the raids, called ICE agents “secret police” and claimed the Trump administration had failed to notify her in advance.
But federal authorities made it clear that law and order takes precedence over political theatrics. U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson reminded Mainers that **protesting does not give anyone the right to obstruct federal officers or commit violence**:
> “Anyone who forcibly assaults or impedes a federal law enforcement officer, willfully destroys government property, or unlawfully obstructs federal law enforcement activity commits a federal crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Operation Catch of the Day quickly yielded results. Within hours, **50 of Maine’s “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens were taken into custody**, including **Dominic Ali, a violent kidnapper from Sudan**. ICE officials highlighted that these were not merely minor offenders but individuals convicted of serious crimes who posed a **direct threat to the safety of American citizens**.
The swift, well-coordinated raids underscore a critical reality: when federal authorities are empowered to enforce the law—and when local law enforcement refuses to bow to sanctuary politics—**communities are safer, and violent criminal aliens are removed from the streets**.
While left-wing politicians and activists attempt to frame ICE’s actions as “unfair” or “secretive,” the facts speak for themselves: Americans in Maine no longer have to live under the threat of criminal illegal aliens roaming freely, and law enforcement, federal and local alike, is finally standing up to politicians who prioritize ideology over public safety.
