PORTLAND, Maine — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently conducted operations resulting in the detention of over 100 individuals across Maine, which the agency branded as Operation Catch of the Day. The operation’s name draws a parallel to the state's fishing industry, yet descriptions of detainees have evoked skepticism regarding the true nature of those picked up. While ICE claims to have apprehended dangerous subjects, including child abusers and hostage takers, court records reveal a much more complex narrative.
The operation’s publicity from federal officials stated that they were going after the worst of the worst, but court documents indicate that many individuals arrested had pending immigration cases or had not been convicted of crimes. Local immigration attorneys reported that similar circumstances have proliferated in other cities where ICE has conducted aggressive enforcement actions. For instance, several detainees were simply at work or enjoying lunch when immigration agents arrived in unmarked vehicles.
One highlighted case involves Sudanese national Dominic Ali, who has a history of serious felony offenses, including assault and false imprisonment. However, many others detained do not share his serious criminal history.
Concerns about ICE's broad interpretation of who qualifies as a criminal have led to strong local responses, particularly from Portland Mayor Mark Dion, who emphasized that many targeted individuals had previously had no criminal convictions, differing greatly from ICE's depicted narrative. Legal representatives claim that the confusion between arrests and convictions could significantly affect detainees, especially since habeas petitions are one of the few avenues available to prevent the hasty transfer of individuals out of state, further complicating their access to legal counsel.
The backlash continues as community advocates argue that many individuals serve essential roles in their local communities, which further adds to the tension surrounding ongoing enforcement practices in Maine.
Dion further pointed to non-felons like Elmara Correia, who was charged in a minor case that was ultimately dismissed, highlighting the need for clarity and precision in ICE's claims surrounding whom they are detaining as part of keeping communities safe.
ICE has stated that this operation is aimed at roughly 1,400 immigrants out of a total population of about 1.4 million in the state.
The operation’s publicity from federal officials stated that they were going after the worst of the worst, but court documents indicate that many individuals arrested had pending immigration cases or had not been convicted of crimes. Local immigration attorneys reported that similar circumstances have proliferated in other cities where ICE has conducted aggressive enforcement actions. For instance, several detainees were simply at work or enjoying lunch when immigration agents arrived in unmarked vehicles.
One highlighted case involves Sudanese national Dominic Ali, who has a history of serious felony offenses, including assault and false imprisonment. However, many others detained do not share his serious criminal history.
Concerns about ICE's broad interpretation of who qualifies as a criminal have led to strong local responses, particularly from Portland Mayor Mark Dion, who emphasized that many targeted individuals had previously had no criminal convictions, differing greatly from ICE's depicted narrative. Legal representatives claim that the confusion between arrests and convictions could significantly affect detainees, especially since habeas petitions are one of the few avenues available to prevent the hasty transfer of individuals out of state, further complicating their access to legal counsel.
The backlash continues as community advocates argue that many individuals serve essential roles in their local communities, which further adds to the tension surrounding ongoing enforcement practices in Maine.
Dion further pointed to non-felons like Elmara Correia, who was charged in a minor case that was ultimately dismissed, highlighting the need for clarity and precision in ICE's claims surrounding whom they are detaining as part of keeping communities safe.
ICE has stated that this operation is aimed at roughly 1,400 immigrants out of a total population of about 1.4 million in the state.
