Federal agents arrived in Maine this week to carry out a statewide immigration enforcement operation targeting more than 1,000 people the Department of Homeland Security has described as illegal criminal aliens.

Some Mainers say it’s about time.

Intensified immigration sweeps began in Portland and Lewiston on Tuesday as federal agents kicked off what they are calling “Operation Catch of the Day.” The group is targeting what federal officials have described as “the worst of the worst” criminals residing in the U.S. illegally.

Democratic officials have been quick to condemn the operation, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are waging a “war of terror” on Maine communities.

But for many conservatives, the increased immigration enforcement is a welcome sight — though some said they have reservations about ICE’s tactics.

‘I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE JUMPING THE LINE’

Pete Harring, a resident of the small Knox County town of Washington, has been a fixture in Maine’s conservative circles for years. A former Tea Party organizer, Harring described himself as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and his pledge to carry out mass deportations.

For Harring, the issue is about illegal immigration, not immigration altogether. Harring and others interviewed by the Portland Press Herald this week say they believe ICE is only targeting hardened criminals. As he put it, “I just think people should be coming through the front door instead of climbing over our back fence.”

“At the end of the day, we are a nation of laws. And I support enforcing the laws that we have on the books,” Harring said.

Mike Gallant, of Lewiston, said he supports legal immigration and the enforcement actions going on.

“I don’t like people jumping the line,” said Gallant, who added he has family that came to the country from Albania.

“It took them years and years (to legally immigrate),” added Gallant, 38. “It was a big long process. Why does someone else just get to cut the line by crossing the border and staying here?”

Gallant said immigration enforcement has happened under previous administrations, but what’s going on currently is under more scrutiny because of social media.

And he said American taxpayers are subsidizing too many services for immigrants, like health care and interpreters.

“Why do we provide interpreters for people in our country?” he said. “Why are we paying for that service? … If you had to go to the doctor in Mexico, they wouldn’t provide you with transportation and an interpreter. They wouldn’t do any of that.”

JUST DOING THEIR JOBS

Travis Robinson, a retired army veteran from Augusta, considers himself an ardent ICE supporter and has no issues with their tactics.

Robinson views ICE’s operations as a campaign promise by Trump that’s being fulfilled.

“People need to step back and let the officers do their job,” he said. “If you don’t like it, then vote for somebody else in the next election.”

Crystal Nichols, of Greene, said that officers have a job to do and she supports them doing it, as long as due process is followed. She said people who see ICE officers out in public are only seeing one step in the process of whatever case they’re working on and should be cautious about making assumptions.

“I think it’s naive to think there are not criminals getting into the country,” said Nichols, 54. “If they do that on the backs of people who are honestly trying to get in and trying to have a good life, I suppose it’s the government’s job to find these people.”

ICE TACTICS HAVE DRAWN SCRUTINY

In Maine and across the country, federal immigration agents have begun employing more aggressive tactics since ramping up enforcement this year. Officers often wear face masks and drive unmarked cars. Agents have been empowered to enter suspects’ property without a judicial warrant. And hundreds of U.S. citizens have been detained in the midst of it all.

Some of those tactics are drawing scrutiny from supporters of ICE’s broader mission, including Tiffany Levasseur, a veteran and farmer who lives in Benton.

Levasseur usually votes Republican but said she “hasn’t fully jumped on the Trump train.” Some of the president’s rhetoric around immigration gives Levasseur pause, as does U.S. citizens and legal residents being caught up in sweeps.

“You never want to see people locked up for no reason,” she said. “Mistakes do happen, and they’re unfortunate. And I’m not trying to sound mean, but I understand it. You can’t make 100 arrests and have all 100 cases go perfect.”

Part of Levasseur’s support for ICE comes from the ferocity of the opposition to it. After writing a Facebook comment offering ICE agents a home-cooked meal if they need it, she said other commenters hurled insults and death threats her way, prompting her to file a formal police report.

Indeed, much of the online discussion about “Operation Catch of the Day” has been wrapped in vitriol. In conservative Facebook groups and X accounts, photos and videos of apparent ICE raids were met with comments like “Get them all!” and “Good riddance!” Others said they hoped ICE would arrest Democrats and other politicians they dislike.

“Bullying happens way too much on both sides of the aisle,” Levasseur said. “And I’m not OK with it either way.”