A video captured on Jan. 21 shows ICE agents standing outside the home of Cristian Vaca in Biddeford, Maine, threatening to return for his family. Vaca, who arrived in the United States from Ecuador in September 2023, said he was terrified during the encounter. The clip has sparked debate over the federal agency’s new enforcement push.
At a Glance
- Video shows ICE agents threatening Vaca’s family.
- DHS launched “Operation Catch of the Day” on Jan. 20.
- Over 100 arrests made in first three days.
- Vaca’s work permit and Social Security number are confirmed.
- The operation targets immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally and have committed crimes.
- The federal agency accused Maine Gov. Janet Mills of not cooperating.
ICE Launches Operation in Maine
The Department of Homeland Security announced the start of a new immigration enforcement effort in Maine on Jan. 20. The operation is titled “Operation Catch of the Day” and focuses on individuals with criminal records. Officials said the goal is to deter illegal immigration.
The announcement came amid criticism of ICE’s actions in other states. In Minneapolis, a U.S. citizen was shot in her vehicle on Jan. 7. A Venezuelan man was shot in the leg during an arrest on Jan. 14.
ICE agents have also faced backlash from anti-ICE protesters. Reports describe agents clashing with demonstrators and entering homes. The incidents have fueled calls for increased oversight.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the operation. She said the agency is targeting immigrants who are both in the U.S. illegally and have committed crimes. McLaughlin also accused Gov. Janet Mills of failing to cooperate with federal authorities.
The operation’s launch was announced through a statement shared with CBS News. The statement emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws. It also highlighted the agency’s commitment to public safety.
Within hours of the announcement, ICE agents began conducting raids. They targeted residences and businesses across Maine. The first wave of arrests began on Jan. 20.
The federal agency has not released a list of the specific criteria used for targeting. Officials say the criteria include criminal history and evidence of illegal entry. The operation is part of a broader federal push to reduce unauthorized immigration.
The operation’s name, “Operation Catch of the Day,” was chosen to reflect its rapid response nature. Officials described it as a daily effort to apprehend individuals. The name has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates.
The first three days of the operation saw a significant number of arrests. DHS reported that more than 100 people were detained. The arrests included individuals with varying degrees of criminal history.
Vaca’s Encounter
Cristian Vaca recorded a video of the encounter from inside his Biddeford home. The footage shows an ICE agent pressing his face against the front door window. The agent warned, “We’re gonna come back for your whole family, OK?”
Vaca responded calmly, saying, “OK, no problem.” He continued filming as the agents returned to their vehicles. The video was posted to social media on Jan. 21.
After the video was shared, Vaca spoke to The Associated Press. In an interview translated from Spanish, he described the encounter as terrifying. He said the threat was specifically aimed at his family.
Vaca explained that the agents were taking photos when he looked out the window. He said, “If I didn’t leave and go with them, they would come back for my family.” The threat was always against his family.
He also expressed concern for his son. Vaca said, “It made me think about my son and his innocence.” He noted that his son did not know what was happening during the interaction.
Vaca stated that he had a hearing scheduled with a judge in his immigration case. The hearing was postponed, but he remains scheduled for a future date. He also confirmed that he has a work permit and a Social Security number.
The video shows Vaca speaking in Spanish, reflecting his native language. The encounter took place in the morning, around 10 or 11 a.m. The agents approached his home on the same day the operation began.
Vaca’s family is not known to have been detained. The video suggests that the agents only threatened the family, not arrested them. The incident highlights the tension between ICE agents and immigrant families.
The video has prompted calls for greater transparency. Observers argue that the footage demonstrates a potential overreach by ICE. Vaca’s experience is part of a broader debate over immigration enforcement.
DHS Statements
On Jan. 21, DHS confirmed that the operation had begun the day before. The agency described the operation as targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. It also stated that the operation was aimed at deterring future violations.
Tricia McLaughlin said the operation was necessary to uphold immigration law. She added that the agency had received cooperation from state officials. However, she accused Gov. Janet Mills of not fully cooperating.
The DHS spokesperson also highlighted the agency’s commitment to public safety. She said that ICE agents were trained to act responsibly during raids. The statement was shared with CBS News.
DHS reported that more than 100 people were arrested in the first three days of the operation. The arrests were spread across Maine’s counties. The agency did not release names of those detained.
The agency also said it was working with local law enforcement. Officials emphasized the importance of cooperation between federal and state agencies. The statement was posted on DHS’s official website.
The DHS statement was later shared with News Of Los Angeles. The agency urged the public to stay informed about the operation. It also called for cooperation with law enforcement.
The DHS spokesperson said the operation was part of a national effort. She said that the agency was committed to enforcing immigration laws nationwide. The statement was released amid growing criticism of ICE.
The DHS statement also referenced the need to protect families. Officials said that the agency’s actions were not intended to threaten families. The statement was criticized by some civil rights groups.
The DHS spokesperson emphasized that the operation was lawful. She said that all actions were carried out under the authority of immigration statutes. The agency also said it was following federal guidelines.
Minneapolis Incidents
In Minneapolis, a U.S. citizen was shot in her vehicle on Jan. 7. The incident drew national attention to ICE’s presence in the city. Police reports indicated that the shooting was unrelated to immigration enforcement.
A Venezuelan man was shot in the leg during an arrest on Jan. 14. The incident was reported by local media. It added to the controversy surrounding ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Reports of agents clashing with anti-ICE protesters have spread online. The footage shows agents entering homes and confronting demonstrators. The incidents have fueled calls for stricter oversight.
The Washington Post reported that a 5-year-old was detained during a Minneapolis raid. The child was the son of an Ecuadorian immigrant who was targeted. The incident raised questions about the use of children in ICE operations.
The article described the child being asked to knock on the door to see if others were inside. The agents allegedly used the child as bait. The school district said an adult begged the agents to leave the child with them.
The child’s older brother returned home 20 minutes later to find his father and younger brother had been taken away. The incident was reported by the Washington Post. The story highlighted the impact on families during raids.
The Minneapolis incidents have drawn criticism from civil rights advocates. They argue that ICE agents’ tactics violate constitutional rights. The incidents have prompted calls for policy reform.
The incidents have also prompted a discussion about the role of ICE in local law enforcement. Some officials say ICE should focus on serious crimes. Others argue for increased transparency.
The Minneapolis incidents have been cited in debates over the Insurrection Act. President Trump has threatened to invoke the Act to quell anti-ICE protests. The statements have added to the national conversation about federal enforcement.
Data on ICE Arrests
The University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project has shown that nearly 75,000 people arrested by ICE during Trump’s first nine months in office had no criminal record. The data was compiled by an internal ICE office and released in a lawsuit. The findings suggest that many arrests may have been based on immigration status alone.
The data also shows that almost one-third of those arrested had no criminal record. The data does not distinguish between minor offenses and violent crimes. The report has been used by advocates to argue for reform.
ProPublica identified more than 170 cases where U.S. citizens were detained at raids and protests in the first nine months of Trump’s second presidency. The cases highlight the potential for civilian detentions during ICE operations. The findings have sparked debate over the agency’s enforcement practices.
The data on ICE arrests has fueled calls for greater accountability. Advocates argue that the agency should focus on serious criminal activity. The statistics provide context for the current debate over immigration enforcement.
