ICE Agents Threaten Legal Observers in Maine, Label Them 'Domestic Terrorists'
high documented
Location
Portland, Maine
Date
January 23, 2026
Department
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Agency Type
ICE
Source
Portland Press Herald / Reason
Description
During 'Operation Catch of the Day' immigration enforcement in Maine, ICE agents threatened legal observers who were filming operations. Video shows an ICE officer photographing a legal observer's car and stating: 'Because we have a nice little database, and now you're considered a domestic terrorist.' One observer reported agents came to their home to intimidate them. Cumberland County Sheriff criticized ICE's tactics as 'bush league policing' and reported ICE pulled all detainees from the county jail. Gov. Janet Mills demanded ICE show warrants, stating 'In America, we don't believe in secret arrests or secret police.'
Location Map
Victims
- Legal observers/ICE watchers (unnamed)
Tags
first-amendment legal-observers domestic-terrorist-label intimidation operation-catch-of-the-day maine home-visits