U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 200 people in Maine last week. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the operation. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said officers began the arrests last Tuesday. She said the effort targets people in the country illegally, especially those seen as public safety risks.
The operation has drawn strong reactions across the state. Immigrant communities, legal advocates, and local officials have raised concerns. Federal authorities say they are targeting serious offenders. Local groups say many detainees are long-term residents, workers, and parents with no criminal history.
Federal Operation and Official Position in Maine
Homeland Security officials said that many of the arrests involved individuals charged with or convicted of serious crimes, including aggravated assault and child endangerment. McLaughlin said the operation is targeting what the agency calls “the worst of the worst.”
Federal officials also stated that nationwide, around 70% of ICE arrests involve people with criminal charges or convictions. However, they did not provide detailed information about most of the individuals arrested in Maine beyond the first day of the operation.
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One arrest that drew attention involved Emanuel Ludovic Mbuangi Landila, a corrections officer recruit in Maine. Cumberland County Sheriff Joyce described him as a law-abiding individual with permission to work in the state, while federal officials said he was in the country illegally. The case has raised questions about how authorities identify and select individuals for arrest.
Authorities have not released full details about where they made arrests or how long they will hold detainees. Officials have reportedly transferred some individuals out of state, including to detention facilities in Louisiana.
Community Concerns and Advocacy Response
Immigration advocates say the arrests are affecting people already in legal immigration processes. Many have no criminal records. Sue Roche, Executive Director of Maine’s Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, said her organization has received dozens of urgent requests for help from people detained during the operation.
Roche and other advocates report that some arrests took place in public spaces. These include streets, homes, grocery stores, and near schools. These actions have caused fear among families, particularly those with children. Children worry about sudden separation from parents. There are also concerns about detention conditions.
Roche reported that authorities are holding some detainees in temporary facilities. Some are in tents near an active airport runway. They have limited food and basic supplies. She said lawyers have struggled to communicate with people at these locations. This raises concerns about access to legal counsel and due process.
Advocacy groups say these conditions and the lack of transparency deeply trouble them. They argue that authorities should treat all individuals humanely. Everyone should have a fair opportunity to understand their rights and legal options.
Families of those detained report sudden upheaval in daily life. Children are left without caregivers. Workers are removed from their jobs. Churches, schools, and community groups have stepped in to provide food, housing, and emotional support.
State Leaders Push Back Against Enforcement Surge
State leaders in Maine have voiced strong concerns about the impact of the enforcement operation. Governor Janet Mills has requested a meeting with President Donald Trump, asking him to withdraw ICE agents from the state.
Mills said she is hearing reports that many detainees are parents, workers, and long-term residents with no criminal records. She described this as deeply concerning. Local officials have echoed these concerns. They say the arrests appear to be affecting people who are contributing members of their communities.
Some law enforcement leaders have said that individuals taken into custody were not known to be involved in criminal activity. They had been cooperating with local authorities. This has added to confusion and frustration among officials. They say the operation does not match the federal government’s stated goals.
Despite these concerns, federal authorities continue to defend the operation. They say it is part of their duty to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety. They maintain that the focus remains on individuals who are in the country illegally and who pose a risk to communities.
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However, the lack of detailed public information about the majority of arrests has led to growing calls for transparency. Advocates, families, and officials are asking for clear answers about who is being detained, where they are being held, and what legal processes they will face.
As the enforcement activity continues, many communities in Maine remain on edge. Parents are worried about sending their children to school, workers fear being stopped on their way to jobs, and families are struggling with uncertainty and separation.