ICE in Maine: What we know so far
Reports of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Maine flooded social media Wednesday as local mayors confirmed agents were detaining citizens and an ICE official told Fox News the agency had identified "approximately 1,400 targets" in the state.
Westbrook Mayor David Morse addressed the issue in a Facebook post shortly before 9:30 a.m.
"ICE has been actively conducting operations and detaining people in Westbrook yesterday and this morning. At least one peaceful US citizen observer from Westbrook was targeted for intimidation by a masked federal law enforcement officer this morning," he wrote. "This is outrageous behavior from a federal authority, and I stand by our citizens' rights to peacefully observe and/or protest."
On Tuesday, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline issued a statement posted on Facebook confirming that ICE had "an increased presence" in the city.
"I know, given the national news, this may cause anxiety, fear or uncertainty for some in our community. In moments like this, what matters most is how we show up for one another and that we remember who we are and what we stand for as Mainers: the rule of law, the right to peacefully protest, and compassion for our neighbors," his statement reads.
"I ask everyone to remain calm and peaceful, act lawfully and rely on verified information. I urge you to know your constitutional rights. If you encounter an ICE agent, it is very important to remain calm."
On Wednesday, neighbors in one Portland neighborhood told the Portland Press Herald they had spotted multiple ICE agents entering a multi-family home.
Earlier that day, the South Portland Board of Education canceled a public forum on the school budget that was scheduled for Thursday after hearing that too many families were afraid to leave their homes to attend the meeting, the newspaper reported.
Two Portland schools briefly entered lockdowns Tuesday morning in response to reports of ICE activity that were later determined to be unfounded, News Center Maine reported .
Neither ICE nor Maine Gov. Janet Mills immediately returned a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.
What officials have said so far
In a FOX News interview on Tuesday , ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said the agency had arrested more than 50 people in Maine that day, and that more arrests would follow on Wednesday. ICE is targeting roughly 1,400 people in Maine for crimes ranging from child rape to drug trafficking to operating under the influence, Hyde said.
"You name it. They're on the target list," she said.
Department of Homeland Security officials called the ongoing surge of immigration enforcement across Maine "Operation Catch of the Day," the Portland Press Herald reported Wednesday.
"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," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to the newspaper.
Last week, Mills posted a video addressing rumors that federal law enforcement may increase its presence in Maine in the coming days. She stated that she and city officials have put together a plan as to how they would respond.
"If any operations take place, our goal — as always — will be to protect the safety and the rights of the people of Maine," Mills said in the video. "Maine knows what good law enforcement looks like. Our law enforcement are held to high professional standards, undergo substantial professional training, are accountable to the law and — I can tell you this — they don't wear a mask to shield their identities, and they don't arrest people to fill quotas."
"To the Federal government I say this: if your plan is to come here to be provocative and to undermine the civil rights of Maine residents, do not be confused — those tactics are not welcome here."
This is a breaking news story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
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