Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has said he supports the federal immigration enforcement actions currently underway in Maine, including an ICE operation that has moved through his hometown of Lewiston. The operation, known as “Operation Catch of the Day,” has drawn statewide attention and sparked sharp political debate.
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Golden emphasized that his support depends on the scope of the effort remaining limited. In a statement emailed Wednesday to Maine Public, he said that as long as the operation is a targeted law enforcement action focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity, he believes it serves the public interest.
His position places him at odds with local leaders in Lewiston, where the ICE activity has been met with strong criticism. City officials have raised concerns about the impact of the enforcement actions on the community and the manner in which they are being carried out.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement of using heavy-handed tactics. In a statement, Sheline said the city “stands for the dignity of all the people who call Maine home” and criticized ICE for what he described as a lack of humanity and concern for basic human welfare.
The disagreement comes as ICE confirms that enforcement operations are now active across the state. The agency told Fox News that approximately 50 people have been arrested so far, with around 1,400 immigrants targeted statewide as part of the ongoing effort.
The debate over immigration enforcement has intensified following a deadly confrontation tied to anti-ICE activism in Minnesota. Authorities said Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after intervening in a targeted arrest operation, an incident that has further fueled national scrutiny of ICE and CBP activities.[/read]