U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched “Operation Catch of the Day,” an enforcement initiative aimed at arresting criminal illegal aliens across Maine. The operation, which began on January 20, focuses on individuals described as “the worst of the worst” due to their criminal histories.
According to ICE, the first day of operations resulted in arrests of several individuals charged or convicted of serious offenses such as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “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. We have launched Operation Catch of the Day to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state. On the first day of operations, we arrested illegal aliens charged and convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”
Among those arrested were Dominic Ali from Sudan, who was convicted for false imprisonment, aggravated assault, assault, obstructing justice, and violation of a protective order; Ambessa Berhe from Ethiopia, convicted for aggravated assault and cocaine possession; Elmara Correia from Angola, previously arrested for endangering the welfare of a child; and Dany Lopez-Cortez from Guatemala, convicted for operating under the influence of alcohol.
The operation comes amid ongoing debates about immigration policy in Maine. Some local leaders have declared their communities as sanctuaries for immigrants. ICE’s recent actions highlight federal efforts to enforce immigration laws regardless of local policies.
