'They are doing their jobs': GOP leaders urge calm as ICE operations ramp up in Maine
PORTLAND (WGME) — As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conduct "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine, Republican leaders are urging Mainers not to interfere with federal law enforcement.
State Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) posted a message on his Facebook page on 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 on 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."
It is a sentiment echoed by the National Police Association.
"If you want what's happening in Minnesota in your community, that's your right as an American, but all this anti-ICE nonsense is doing is endangering you, your neighbors, your ICE agents and your local law enforcement," National Police Association Spokesperson Betsy Branter Smith said.
Smith also criticized Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellow's decision to pause undercover license plate requests for ICE agents.
"It really is irresponsible for the State of Maine to not cooperate with ICE in order to keep these agents safe," Smith said.
In an interview with FOX News, ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde criticized Maine officials for not allowing law enforcement to assist ICE in the operation.
“We have approximately 1,400 targets here in Maine, ranging from rape of a child to drug trafficking, sexual assault, simple assaults, DUI, you name it, they’re on the target list,” Hyde said. “They ban their law enforcement from partnering or even communicating with ICE. And when law enforcement doesn’t communicate with law enforcement, that puts our communities in danger.”
