Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Responds to “Operation Catch of the Day” as ICE formally arrives in Maine

Augusta – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows releases the following statement in response to widespread arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state of Maine: 

“What ICE is doing right now in Maine is unconscionable. Maine is consistently ranked as one of the safest states in the country. It’s because Mainers are strong – we look out for our neighbors and we take care of one another. There can be no pretense that ICE is here to keep us safe; they are here to stoke fears, play political games, and try to destroy the Maine spirit. Our immigrant neighbors make our communities stronger, and they are a critical part of what makes Maine the best place to live.”

“When it comes to protecting new Mainers, I’ll do everything in my power to hold the Trump administration accountable and protect our state.” 

Last week, in response to ICE’s actions in Minneapolis and in anticipation of similar operations in Maine, Secretary Bellows paused issuing any confidential license plates to ICE and Customs and Border Protection.