PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Governor Janet Mills has challenged federal immigration officials to provide clarity during an ongoing enforcement operation in Maine that has caused rising anxiety within local immigrant communities. Mills stated, If they have warrants, show the warrants. In America, we don’t believe in secret arrests or secret police, during a recent press conference.
With the operation reportedly resulting in the arrest of around 50 individuals on its first day and targeting approximately 1,400, Mills has expressed frustration over the federal authorities' lack of communication, highlighting that state officials were unaware of the locations where detainees were being held.
Moreover, Mills reported that her attempts to contact President Donald Trump regarding the operation have gone unanswered. The enforcement wave, coinciding with similar activities in Minnesota, has drawn substantial scrutiny towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, particularly following recent confrontations that escalated into violence.
The enforcement surge has notably impacted Portland and Lewiston, cities with significant immigrant populations. Community leaders have reported that fear is causing families to keep their children home from school, while others are avoiding work altogether.
Mills criticized the lack of detailed information from federal sources about the nature of their targets, asking, Why Maine? Why now? She noted that many individuals arrested appear to have led law-abiding lives, undermining the claims of widespread criminal activity that justifies such federal actions.
This tension has blinded local communities, and school districts have gone on high alert, adding to the turmoil as they try to ensure the safety of both students and staff amidst fears of potential enforcement actions. With calls for transparency ongoing from various stakeholders, the situation remains tense in the state as officials await concrete details from federal agencies.
Maine’s top federal prosecutor has urged for peaceful demonstrations to persist in light of these developments, while Mills continues to advocate for better communication and transparency regarding the actions of immigration enforcement.
