Anxiety is rising in Maine’s immigrant communities as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) steps up enforcement activity across the state. Though Maine is home to a relatively small number of undocumented immigrants, the presence of African refugees in Portland, Lewiston, and other cities has made the new campaign particularly tense.

The operation, dubbed “Catch of the Day”, appears to echo ICE’s previous enforcement efforts, such as Minnesota’s “Metro Surge” and Chicago’s “Midway Blitz”, combining aggressive policing with a nod to local culture — in this case, Maine’s seafood industry.

Reports of arrests and enforcement activity have sent ripples of fear throughout Portland and Lewiston. Community leaders, local officials, and immigrant families are scrambling to respond.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion said, “While we respect the law, we challenge the need for a paramilitary approach. This council stands with our immigrant communities, not apart from them.”

Community networks have emerged to help residents cope with the heightened presence of ICE agents. Volunteers are delivering food, diapers, and supplies to families who fear leaving their homes. Alerts circulate online to notify neighborhoods when ICE vehicles are nearby.

Portland city council member Pious Ali, a Ghana native, said, “Our schools have seen about a quarter of immigrant students not showing up. Immigrants work in our hospitals, schools, and hotels — they are part of the economic engine of our community.”

The Portland Public Schools district, the most diverse in the state, has taken steps to protect students during the enforcement surge. Two schools enacted temporary “lockouts” to prevent unauthorized entry amid rumors of ICE presence, though officials confirmed no direct threats occurred.

“Reports and rumors of immigration enforcement actions are understandably causing tension,” the district stated, highlighting the need for calm and measured responses during this stressful time.

ICE requested confidential Maine license plates for use on unmarked vehicles, a practice that has raised concerns nationwide. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows declined to issue new plates without assurances they would not be misused, citing previous controversies in Minnesota and Illinois.

“These requests raise serious accountability questions,” Bellows said. “We want to ensure Maine plates are not used for lawless purposes.”

Republican Senate Leader Trey Stewart criticized the decision, warning that withholding undercover plates could compromise public safety. The disagreement underscores the political tensions surrounding ICE enforcement in Maine.

According to Patricia Hyde, ICE deputy assistant director, the agency has approximately 1,400 targets in Maine. By Tuesday, agents had arrested 50 individuals, including people with convictions for aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the operation targets the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state,” though local officials argue that enforcement is disproportionately affecting law-abiding immigrants.

Governor Janet Mills condemned the enforcement tactics, calling them aggressive and unnecessary. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline noted the “anxiety, fear, and uncertainty” residents face, emphasizing the lack of evidence that criminal activity in the community necessitates a paramilitary approach.

Maine Democrats echoed these concerns. Devon Murphy-Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said, “This is not about public safety. It is about fear, control, and political theater.”

Beyond schools and local politics, the ICE surge is reshaping everyday life for Maine immigrants. Many residents are staying indoors, avoiding workplaces, and relying on neighborhood networks for essential supplies. Businesses have posted signs declaring that ICE agents are not welcome, reflecting widespread discomfort with federal enforcement tactics.

City councilor Wes Pelletier described each arrest as “a wound to Portland,” underscoring the emotional toll on communities that have long been integral to Maine’s social and economic fabric.

As ICE continues its “Catch of the Day” operation, Portland and Lewiston face heightened anxiety and mobilization to protect immigrant residents. Community networks, school districts, and local leaders are working to mitigate the impact of federal enforcement, while political tensions remain high.

Maine’s experience reflects a growing national debate over immigration policy, enforcement tactics, and the balance between public safety and civil rights. With schools, businesses, and households adapting to new challenges, the story of Maine’s immigrant communities will remain closely watched in 2026.