Trump administration targets Somalis in new Maine operation

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Lewiston (Somalia Today) — The Trump administration launched a new immigration enforcement operation in the northeastern US state of Maine this week, aimed in part at Somali immigrants, expanding a crackdown that has already ignited protests and legal battles across the country.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents began arrests earlier this week, describing the sweep as a public-safety initiative focused on immigrants with criminal records.

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Two US officials told The New York Times the operation targeted immigrants from Somalia alongside other nationalities. Meanwhile, a DHS statement said agents detained people from Sudan, Guatemala and Ethiopia on the first day.

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Northward expansion

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The Maine push marks a northward expansion of the White House’s strategy. In recent months, the administration has been pressuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to boost arrest numbers nationwide, with heightened scrutiny on Democratic-led states and cities.

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ICE agents in Maine dubbed the initiative “Operation Catch of the Day.” According to an ICE official who spoke to Fox News, federal authorities had identified roughly 1,400 “targets” across the state.

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ICE officials took a Fox News crew on a ride-along during the initial phase, saying the operation prioritized individuals with criminal histories.

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The network cited Patricia Hyde, an ICE deputy assistant director, as saying the target list included people accused or convicted of offenses ranging from sexual crimes to drug trafficking and drunk driving.

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DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the moves, saying agents arrested “undocumented immigrants convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.”

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“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal immigrants to terrorize American citizens,” McLaughlin said.

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Lewiston on alert

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The operation has rattled immigrant communities in Maine. The largely rural state has one of the nation’s oldest median ages and a relatively small share of undocumented residents, but cities such as Portland and Lewiston host established refugee and asylum-seeker populations.

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Lewiston became a national symbol of demographic shifts after Somali families began moving there in the early 2000s.

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Drawn by lower housing costs and safety, the Somali community helped revive parts of the former mill town’s downtown, local officials and community leaders have said.

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Despite past friction, community leaders say the population has largely integrated. Now, however, they fear recent enforcement actions could reverse years of progress.

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Maine employers and local officials have increasingly pointed to immigration as a way to fill labor gaps as retirements and out-migration strain the workforce.

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In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has described immigration as a key factor helping New England manage demographic headwinds.

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Renewed enforcement has prompted fear. Local officials and community advocates say some families have kept children home from school, while businesses in Lewiston report absences as workers avoid job sites amid fears of checkpoints.

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Anticipating demonstrations, federal authorities appeared to brace for unrest.

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Andrew Benson, the US attorney in Maine, urged residents to protest peacefully. At the same time, he warned that anyone who assaults federal officers, destroys government property or obstructs enforcement could face federal prosecution.

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State leaders criticized the operation as heavy-handed. Democratic officials, including Governor Janet Mills, condemned the initiative as disruptive and argued it was unnecessary given Maine’s relatively small undocumented population.

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DHS accused Maine officials of impeding federal enforcement, arguing local jurisdictions must cooperate with immigration authorities to remove public safety threats.

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Minnesota fallout

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Developments in the Midwest have added to the tension. Earlier, the administration carried out a large-scale enforcement surge in Minnesota that triggered protests and clashes between agents and demonstrators.

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In a separate development, a US appeals court temporarily lifted restrictions that had limited ICE agents’ ability to arrest and use pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota, according to The Guardian.

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The Minnesota surge drew scrutiny after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis this month, an incident that is under investigation. The case became a flashpoint for criticism of enforcement tactics and raised questions about accountability.

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Civil society groups and advocates have responded by increasing “observer” trainings. They also say the enforcement climate under the current administration has become more aggressive and unpredictable.

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Somalis singled out

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The White House’s focus on Somali immigrants has sharpened political tensions, particularly given the president’s past remarks.

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President Trump has faced condemnation for comments targeting Somalis and Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who arrived in the United States as a refugee from Somalia.

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Omar has denounced what she called “dehumanizing” rhetoric, citing instances in which Trump referred to Somalis as “garbage” and disparaged their home country.

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The administration says it is prioritizing public safety and enforcing immigration laws, while critics argue high-visibility operations stigmatize entire communities and discourage crime victims from cooperating with police.

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In Maine, where Somali Americans have spent two decades building institutions and businesses, advocates warn broad sweeps can deepen fear beyond those with criminal convictions.

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