‘Disruptive’: Gov. Mills criticizes ICE for not releasing information on activity in Maine

PORTLAND (WGME) — Gov. Janet Mills held a press conference Thursday, using words like “disruptive” and “secret police” to describe ICE activity in Maine.

Mills expressed how difficult it has been to get information from DHS and the Trump administration about the ongoing ICE operation.

“Let’s see the docs. I’d be shocked if they found 1,400 people with criminal charges against them,” Mills said.

Mills criticized ICE’s Operation Catch of the Day, which DHS says involves targeting more than 1,000 people in Maine.

Governor Janet Mills held a press conference Thursday, using words like “disruptive” and “secret police” to describe ICE activity in Maine. (WGME)

“For the most part, we’re hearing about people who have not been engaged in criminal activity,” Mills said.

So far, DHS has only provided information on a handful of roughly 50 people they say they’ve arrested so far, calling them some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across Maine, with convictions ranging from aggravated assault to OUI.

“It’s disruptive, and it’s causing a lot of fear, unnecessary anxiety in the community and among families who don’t deserve this kind of treatment,” Mills said.

Republican leaders like Representative Billy Bob Faulklingham continue to urge both Democrats and the public to remain calm, to use less divisive rhetoric and to let ICE do its job.

“I think that anytime you’re trying to interfere with a police operation, you’re getting in really dangerous territory,” Faulkingham said.

Mills says she continues to be in constant contact with both the mayors of Portland and Lewiston.