Operation Catch of the Day

"Operation Catch of the Day" was a recent surge of immigration enforcement activities conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maine, beginning around January 21, 2026. The operation targeted immigrants, with a particular focus on Somali communities in the state. The Trump administration cited Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills as a reason for the operation. ICE claimed to be targeting the "worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," but court records have raised doubts about this claim. The operation sparked protests and backlash in Maine, potentially impacting Republican Senate control in the upcoming midterm elections. While ICE has ended the surge in Maine, a similar operation continues in Minnesota. The situation is newsworthy due to its political implications, the targeting of specific communities, and questions surrounding the justification for the operation.