WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Jan. 21, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, released the following statement on increased immigration enforcement operations in Maine:

"After first granting Fox News exclusive access to federal agents on the ground in Maine, Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security has finally confirmed details about their operation “Catch of the Day”—a truly heinous and inhumane name. DHS reportedly has a “list of 1,400” people and had already, as of Tuesday night, detained 50 individuals. While the Fox News report and DHS’s own statement conveniently only detail a handful of individuals detained who allegedly do have criminal records, we know many of those who have been picked up do not. 

"One, for instance, is a mother of four, who had just dropped her kids off at school when she was picked up by agents. Another, a teenager who was buying his lunch for school was grabbed in a grocery store parking lot. And a caregiver for people with disabilities was detained while on his lunch break.

 "Let me be absolutely clear: this operation does not serve the public interest in any way. It exists solely to meet anti-immigration quotas.

 "I’ve heard from countless employers who are desperately worried for their employees—all of whom are authorized to work and remain in this country and are vital to our workforce, community, and economy. 

 "Many are scared to leave their houses; to send their kids to school; to go to work or the grocery store, the hospital, or the pharmacy. Because they know that, regardless of their immigration status or lack of criminal record, they could be detained by violent, masked agents for no reason other than the color of their skin. And because they have seen how agents behave. In Minneapolis. In Chicago. In LA. And in every other “blue” city this Administration has set its sights on.

 "My office and I are continuing to assist our constituents and their loved ones however we can. I remain committed to holding this lawless Administration accountable for their abuses, demanding transparency, and getting Noem removed from office."