Governor Mills Demands Clarity Amid ICE Raids in Maine

Fri Jan 23 2026 00:51:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Maine's Governor Janet Mills has called for transparency from federal immigration officials following a series of arrests that have left immigrant communities in fear. ICE has reportedly targeted approximately 1,400 individuals in the state.

Governor Janet Mills has challenged federal immigration authorities to disclose arrest warrants and details of their ongoing enforcement operation in Maine. The raids have contributed to rising anxiety among immigrant communities, affecting schools and workplaces as families avoid public spaces out of fear. The governor's calls for transparency come amid reports of around 50 arrests and claims by federal officials that the operation targets individuals with serious criminal histories.

PORTLAND, Maine — Governor Janet Mills has urged federal immigration officials to provide transparency during a period of heightened enforcement operations across Maine, which have left immigrant communities engulfed in fear.

Speaking at a news conference, Mills challenged officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to disclose arrest warrants and real-time numbers of detentions, emphasizing, In America, we don’t believe in secret arrests or secret police.

The Democratic governor noted that her attempts to reach out to the Trump administration regarding the operations have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, federal authorities have indicated that around 50 arrests occurred on the first day of the operation, targeting roughly 1,400 individuals across the state, which has a population of about 1.4 million. Among them, around 4% are foreign-born, with a smaller percentage living here illegally.

The uptick in ICE activity has heightened anxiety in Maine's major cities, particularly in Portland and Lewiston, which feature substantial immigrant populations predominantly from African nations. Community leaders report that families are avoiding public spaces, leading to children staying home from school, and adults refraining from work due to concerns about potential arrests.

Mills criticized the lack of information surrounding the operation: “I’d be curious to know more about their so-called target,” she stated, questioning the rationale behind the operation and why it is happening now.

In response, Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith remarked that while they recognize the need for law enforcement, inflammatory rhetoric should be avoided. She proposed a meeting with Mills to discuss support for law enforcement and community safety.

Mills expressed doubt over claims that a significant number of individuals targeted have committed crimes, suggesting instead that reports indicate many affected have been law-abiding. Schools in Portland and Lewiston have reacted by increasing security measures, albeit briefly, due to fears around nearby ICE activities.

Federal agencies have been urged to maintain peace during any protests linked to the enforcement efforts, and while the Department of Homeland Security maintains the operation targets dangerous criminals, Mills has called for respect towards the immigrant workforce that is essential to Maine's economy.

In a public statement, Mills reiterated the importance of recording law enforcement activities legally and peacefully while questioning the necessity for what she deemed a heavy-handed approach.