'Operation Catch of the Day': ICE launches major enforcement effort in Maine
PORTLAND (WGME) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the start of a major Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Maine Wednesday.
ICE says "Operation Catch of the Day" is targeting "the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities."
Officials say the operation started on Tuesday.
The Department of Homeland Security says it is targeting 1,400 people in Maine, and dozens have been arrested so far.
Homeland Security offered examples of some of the people arrested Tuesday in the first day of the operation:
- Dominic Ali, who is originally from Sudan and was convicted of false imprisonment, aggravated assault, assault, obstructing justice and violation of a protective order.
- Ambessa Berhe, who is originally from Ethiopia and was convicted of aggravated assault and cocaine possession.
- Elmara Correia, who is originally from Angola and was previously arrested for endangering the welfare of a child.
- Dany Lopez-Cortez, who is originally from Guatemala and was convicted for operating under the influence of alcohol.
Westbrook Mayor David Morse confirmed ICE was conducting operations and detaining people in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“At least one peaceful US citizen observer from Westbrook was targeted for intimidation by a masked federal law enforcement officer this morning. This is outrageous behavior from a federal authority, and I stand by our citizens’ rights to peacefully observe and/or protest,” Morse said in a statement on Facebook.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said ICE agents are in Maine in larger numbers, including in his city.
"I ask everyone to remain calm and peaceful, act lawfully and rely on verified information,” Sheline said. “I urge you to know your constitutional rights."
Portland Mayor Mark Dion called a press conference Wednesday to discuss the increase of ICE activity.
He acknowledged that many in the city feel anxious and fearful about the increase in ICE activity in Portland, but he is also urging people to understand that federal enforcement is lawful.
Dion says the city council stands with the immigrant community.
Dion says he respects the right of people to protest and demonstrate their opinions about ICE in Portland and expects federal agents to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect the rule of law.
“I will remind the public allow officers to do their work,” Dion said. “Do not obstruct. The best thing you can do is be the best possible witness should the facts that come before you are needed by any future investigation or judicial inquiry. If officers are acting with warrant, they are within the law. And this is not the place or the time to challenge that. I want everyone safe.”
State Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) posted a message on his Facebook page Wednesday encouraging Mainers to stay out of ICE's way while it conducts the operation.
"Folks, calm down about all this ICE stuff," Faulkingham said. "Calm down about all this federal law enforcement. They are doing their jobs. These men and women are professionals."
Faulkingham says Wednesday, Brewer police were responding to an incident at a school, and people who thought the officers were there related to ICE got in the way.
Our media partners at the Bangor Daily News report police were at the school in connection with a swatting investigation, and Brewer police said the woman's actions created a "real risk to the investigating officers."
In his video, Faulkingham confirmed that Operation Catch of the Day is targeting 1,400 suspects in Maine, and that 50 people have been arrested so far.
He urges Mainers to allow ICE agents to do their jobs and not interfere for everyone's safety.
"Stop the craziness," Faulkingham said. "Stay home. Stay out of the way of law enforcement operations, or you're gonna get somebody hurt."
