ICE Operation 'Catch of the Day' Targets Somali Community in Maine

Operation Catch of the Day

• 🎯 ICE has launched a new enforcement surge in Maine, dubbed "Operation Catch of the Day," targeting approximately 1,400 individuals and arresting at least 50 so far.
• 🚨 Reports indicate concentrated ICE activity in the greater Portland area and Lewiston, cities with significant Somali populations.
• 😨 The operation's name is described as dehumanizing, creating fear and intimidation within the targeted communities.

Impact on the Community

• 🏫 School attendance in Portland has reportedly dropped by up to 20% in some schools due to community anxiety.
• 🚶 Streets in downtown Lewiston are described as completely empty, with residents fearing harassment and violence from federal agents.
• 🏠 Residents are urged to stay home and not open their doors to unknown individuals.

Tactics and Concerns

• 🚪 ICE agents have been reportedly going door-to-door, sometimes disguising themselves as regular police officers and wearing plain clothes.
• 💔 An older Somali woman was arrested in front of her children without being allowed to prepare, and another woman was reportedly "kidnapped" from her home.
• ⚠️ Legal experts state that ICE is asserting the power to forcibly enter homes without a judicial warrant, a potential violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Broader Context and Support

• 🇺🇸 The surge in Maine mirrors broader ICE enforcement actions across the country, with reports of US citizens being swept up.
• 🤝 Safia Khalid, a former Somali American city council member, is leading the Community Organizing Alliance, an advocacy group providing on-the-ground support.
• 🌐 The group is collaborating with partners in Minneapolis and Chicago, drawing on their experiences with similar ICE actions.
• 🗣️ Khalid emphasizes the need to educate people about their rights amidst the frightening and scary time.