Maine governor questions ‘secret arrests,' sheriff says ICE targeted one
of his recruits
[January 23, 2026]
By PATRICK WHITTLE, RODRIQUE NGOWI and LEAH WILLINGHAM
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's Democratic governor challenged federal
immigration officials Thursday to provide warrants, real-time arrest
numbers and basic information about who is being detained in a sweeping
enforcement operation in her state, saying residents have been left
largely in the dark as fear spreads through immigrant communities.
“If they have warrants, show the warrants. In America, we don’t believe
in secret arrests or secret police," Gov. Janet Mills said at a news
conference.
Mills said that President Donald Trump’s office hasn't returned her
calls regarding the operation launched this week, dubbed “Catch of the
Day” by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Federal officials have
said about 50 arrests were made the first day and that roughly 1,400
people are operational targets in the mostly rural state of 1.4 million
residents, 4% of whom are foreign-born.
The remarks came as Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce raised
concerns about the arrest of one of his corrections officer recruits by
immigration agents. Joyce was among more than 100 sheriffs nationwide
who met last year with border czar Tom Homan.
Joyce said that the plan outlined at the time — prioritizing the removal
of people with serious criminal records — was one he could support. This
week’s arrest did not align with that message, he said.
“The book and the movie don’t add up,” he said.
The governor seeks basic information
The enforcement activity has sparked anxiety in Maine’s largest cities,
including Portland and Lewiston, which are home to sizable immigrant and
refugee populations, particularly from African nations. Community
leaders say some families are staying indoors, avoiding work and keeping
children home from school for fear of arrest.
Mills said the lack of information has made it difficult to assess the
scope or justification for the operation.
“Why Maine? Why now? What were the orders that came from above? Who’s
giving the orders? We’ve reached out, we’ve asked questions. We have no
answers," she said.
Mills said she would be “shocked” if federal agents could substantiate
claims of such a large number of people in Maine with criminal charges
against them.
“Mostly we’re hearing reports of people who have not been engaged in
criminal activity,” she said.
Mills said school districts have gone “on alert,” particularly in
Portland and Lewiston, and that some students have not been attending
classes. She also said businesses that rely heavily on immigrant labor
have reported disruptions.
“People are being torn from their families and from young children,
people who are part of the workforce here in Maine,” Mills said.
Cristian Vaca, an immigrant from Ecuador who lives in Biddeford, said
ICE agents repeatedly threatened him during a visit to his home
Wednesday. Vaca, 28, is a roofer who lives with his wife and young son.
“I’m here legally. I came here in September 2023,” Vaca said, citing his
family’s safety and economic opportunity as reasons for the move.
Speaking to The Associated Press in Spanish through a translator, Vaca
said he was sitting on his couch when he noticed agents outside his home
taking photos.
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Rosie Grutze protests the presence of the U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Portland, Maine.
(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Vaca said he has always tried to “do things right and legal” when it
comes to his immigration status. He said he has a U.S. Social
Security number, a work permit and pays income taxes.
A video Vaca took from inside the house shows an ICE agent speaking
to him through his closed front door. Before turning away, the agent
says, “We’re going to come back for your whole family, okay?” A
child’s voice can be heard in the background.
Federal officials defend their operation
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately
respond Thursday to requests for updated arrest numbers and
information about where detainees are being held.
DHS previously said the operation targets what it described as “the
worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” citing arrests
involving convictions for aggravated assault, false imprisonment and
child endangerment.
Sheriff questions arrest of a recruit
Joyce said ICE agents arrested one of his corrections officer
recruits Wednesday evening in Portland despite the county having
verified the man’s U.S. work authorization.
The recruit was hired in February 2024 after undergoing criminal
history checks, fingerprinting, reference checks and a polygraph
examination, Joyce said. His employment eligibility was verified
through a federally required I-9 form indicating he was authorized
to work in the United States until 2029.
“He was squeaky clean,” Joyce said. “Every indication we found was
that this was an individual trying to do all the right things.”
Joyce said the recruit had previously traveled to Texas for a
hearing related to his immigration status, which the sheriff
described as an effort to comply with the law. Joyce said ICE later
told him the man was in the country illegally, a claim he said he
does not understand given his work authorization and lack of
criminal history.
Joyce also criticized the manner of the arrest, saying multiple ICE
agents were involved and the man’s vehicle was left running on a
city street after he was detained.
“That’s bush-league policing,” Joyce said.
A small protest and a call for due process
A small group of demonstrators gathered Thursday afternoon outside
an ICE field office in Scarborough. In downtown Portland, resident
Dave Cowie held a sign reading “Due Process” in red and blue. He
said he was concerned about the scope of immigration enforcement and
whether new ICE recruits were getting enough training.
“People are being snatched off the street, taken to undisclosed
locations,” Cowie said. “We’re being told we have to prove our
citizenship — not everyone walks around with a passport in their
pocket.”
Separately, Maine’s top federal prosecutor has urged any
demonstrations to remain peaceful and warned that people who
interfere with federal agents could face prosecution. Mills said the
state respects the law but questioned the need for what she
described as a heavy-handed approach.
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Willingham reported from Boston.
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