PORTLAND, Maine — There have been reports of at least 50 arrests by ICE over the last few days in Maine, including the detainment of a corrections recruit working for the Cumberland County Jail.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce says the recruit was detained Wednesday night and he is working to learn more.
This comes as more ICE agents arrive in Maine for what they’re calling “Operation Catch of the Day,” bringing support, fear and arrests.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn’t provide a complete list but did release the mug shots of four detainees apprehended in Maine that they say are here illegally and are convicted criminals, including an illegal immigrant from Sudan convicted of charges including false imprisonment, aggravated assault and assault.
That arrest was actually caught on camera with federal officials saying he had been ordered to be deported but had been released into the community before his arrest this week.
“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,” Deputy Assistant Director of ICE Patricia Hyde said.
ICE agents were seen at a gas station on Wednesday afternoon in Portland as part of this operation with most of the agents wearing masks.
Maine leaders responded to these escalating reports of ICE operations with many urging caution.