DHS Launches ‘Catch of the Day’ Operation in Maine

On January 21, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security began Operation Catch of the Day in Maine, an enforcement drive aimed at criminal illegal migrants. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin cited Governor Janet Mills and state sanctuary policies as catalysts for the action. First‑day arrests included illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment. The operation has drawn opposition from state officials, including Mills, who has asked Maine State Police to prepare for federal presence, and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, who condemned ICE tactics. While the duration of the crackdown remains unclear, federal agents have been deployed across Portland and Lewiston and broader Maine communities.