Federal immigration officers have been granted broad authority to enter residences without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) obtained by The Associated Press. This revelation comes as the Trump administration gears up for increased immigration enforcement in Maine, in line with its nationwide push for more arrests. The current approach is reshaping enforcement strategies in various cities, including Minneapolis.
Advocates for immigrants, legal aid organizations, and local authorities have long advised individuals not to allow entry to immigration officials unless presented with a warrant signed by a judge. This guidance aligns with Supreme Court decisions that typically prohibit law enforcement from entering homes without judicial authorization. However, the ICE memo directly challenges this advice amid a surge in arrests under the administration’s immigration crackdown.
The memo, dated May 12, 2025, and signed by ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, states that administrative warrants can now be used to arrest individuals subject to final removal orders without the need for judicial warrants. The memo’s legal basis and potential implications are not elaborated upon.
In response to queries about the memo, Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that individuals targeted with administrative warrants have already undergone due process and received final removal orders. She highlighted that probable cause has been established for their arrest, noting that administrative warrants are recognized in immigration enforcement by the Supreme Court and Congress.
The directive outlined in the memo appears to contradict existing training materials within ICE, as noted in a whistleblower complaint. New ICE recruits and trainees are reportedly instructed to follow the memo’s guidelines over the conflicting training materials. The extent to which this directive has been implemented in immigration operations remains unclear.
As ICE intensifies its focus on Maine under the operation named “Catch of the Day,” concerns have emerged within immigrant communities, especially in Portland and Lewiston. Governor Janet Mills and other Democratic officials have pushed back against ICE’s tactics, refusing to facilitate the concealment of agents’ vehicles through undercover license plates.
Community members in Portland have rallied against ICE’s presence, forming networks to alert one another about agent activities and provide support to affected immigrants. The city’s school district is adapting to support its diverse student body through online learning plans. Local businesses have displayed signs indicating their opposition to ICE activities.
Portland Mayor Mark Dion has expressed solidarity with immigrant communities, criticizing the perceived threats posed by immigration officers. Despite escalating enforcement in Maine, ICE has launched Operation Catch of the Day targeting criminal illegal aliens, with initial arrests including individuals convicted of serious offenses.
In a parallel development, an appeals court in Minnesota has temporarily lifted restrictions on ICE’s aggressive tactics against peaceful protesters, pending further legal proceedings. The enforcement operation in Minnesota’s Twin Cities has faced legal challenges, with concerns raised about officers’ use of tear gas and other measures.
Minnesota continues to be a focal point for immigration enforcement efforts, with state and local officials receiving federal subpoenas for records related to their opposition to enforcement activities. Tragic incidents, such as the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis, underscore the tensions surrounding ICE operations.
These developments highlight the complex landscape of immigration enforcement in the United States, raising concerns about civil liberties, due process, and community relations in the context of heightened enforcement measures.