Another Mayor Trashes Trump
Portland, Maine Mayor Mark Dion says he wants to personally speak with the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as federal immigration enforcement expands in his city and across the state.
Dion, a former county sheriff, made the remarks Wednesday while criticizing ICE’s recent actions and questioning how federal officials want their leadership remembered.
“We all take an oath to act responsibly,” Dion said, referring to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. He suggested that immigration officials should reflect on whether their current approach represents a legacy they would be proud to leave behind.
The mayor argued that aggressive enforcement tactics do not reflect the America he grew up in, saying law enforcement should not be used in ways that divide communities or undermine public trust.
Maine has become the latest focal point in the Trump administration’s nationwide effort to enforce federal immigration laws more aggressively. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new initiative dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day,” confirming that ICE agents have already begun detentions in the state.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Wednesday that she has contacted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to request clarification about the ongoing operations. Collins noted that she has passed along concerns from constituents but has not joined calls to remove Noem from her post.
“I’ve asked for more information on specific cases that have been brought to my attention,” Collins said. She added that conversations with DHS officials are continuing.
The developments in Maine come after weeks of unrest in Minnesota tied to federal immigration operations. Two American citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were killed during encounters involving federal authorities, sparking protests and renewed scrutiny of enforcement tactics.
The deaths led to bipartisan calls for investigations into how federal immigration laws are being enforced and whether current policies adequately balance public safety and civil liberties.
Following Pretti’s death last weekend, Maine Governor Janet Mills requested a meeting with President Donald Trump. The governor criticized the use of force in Minnesota and urged the administration to reconsider federal enforcement operations in Maine.
During her State of the State address Tuesday, Mills struck a defiant tone, stating that Maine would not be intimidated by outside authorities.
“To anyone outside this building — including federal officials — if you seek to harm Maine people, you will have to go through me,” Mills said.
Mayor Dion echoed those concerns during a press conference last week, stressing that while the city respects the rule of law, it questions the necessity of what he described as increasingly militarized enforcement tactics.
“What concerns us is the paramilitary-style approach ICE has taken in other communities,” Dion said, adding that such tactics risk intimidating residents rather than fostering cooperation.
As the Trump administration continues its push to enforce immigration laws nationwide, Maine has emerged as another flashpoint in the broader debate over federal authority, border security, and the proper role of immigration enforcement within American communities.
