Immigration and Immigrant‑rights work in New England is entering a critical moment. As federal immigration enforcement tactics evolve, so too must our collective understanding and strategy. In late January 2026, a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Maine — widely referred to internally and in reporting as “Operation Catch of the Day” — sparked fear, confusion, and urgent community response across the state.

You’ll hear firsthand from two of Maine’s leading immigrant advocacy experts at the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.

• Ruben Torres, Advocacy and Policy Manager
• Hunter Cropsey, Senior Program and Community Engagement Manager

These experts will help New Hampshire advocates, organizers, legal‑service providers, and community partners unpack what happened, what it means for immigrant communities, and how similar pressures could emerge here.

Their experience during Maine’s enforcement surge — including data analysis, hotline response coordination, policy advocacy, and community support — offers powerful insights for all who work at the intersection of immigration and community protection. You’ll walk away with actionable context for your work, for policy, communications, rapid response, and coalition building here in New Hampshire.

What Happened in Maine: “Operation Catch of the Day”

In late January 2026, the Department of Homeland Security deployed increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Maine under an initiative widely described (though not formally confirmed with that name in official public documents) as Operation Catch of the Day. Press reports noted that ICE began operations across multiple communities, especially Portland and Lewiston, resulting in over 200 detentions in a matter of days.

Federal officials claimed the operation targeted individuals with serious criminal convictions, but court records and legal analyses showed that many people detained were those with pending immigration issues or with minimal criminal histories — raising significant concerns among immigrant‑rights advocates.

The surge triggered widespread community fear: immigrant families avoided leaving homes for work or school, and local businesses reported dramatic drop‑offs in customers. Protests erupted in cities like Portland, with hundreds rallying against the enforcement activities, and several demonstrators were arrested for disorderly conduct during those protests.

Within about one week, Mainers learned that federal authorities would end the enhanced enforcement surge, a decision publicly announced by U.S. Senator Susan Collins after conversations with the Department of Homeland Security. However, regular immigration enforcement was expected to continue, and advocates warned the impact on community trust and stability would endure.

Insights from Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition

The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) is a statewide network of 100+ organizations committed to improving the legal, social, and economic conditions of immigrant communities across Maine. Founded in 2005 by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project and initially supported by the Maine People’s Resource Center, MIRC supports inclusion, policy reform, community outreach, and collaborative services statewide.

In the days following the surge, MIRC produced data reports documenting trends in ICE apprehensions, noting that Maine had seen escalating enforcement between 2023 and 2025 and that the January operation significantly increased calls to their immigration resource hotline — sometimes more than 1,000 calls per day from people concerned about ICE presence, legal needs, or basic support.

MIRC’s work during this period highlighted how enforcement operations can intensify fear, disrupt livelihoods, and strain community resources long after headlines fade — all important considerations for advocates building support networks in neighboring states.

Founded by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in 2005 and initially sponsored by Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC), the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) has grown into a full-fledged non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of legal, social, and economic outcomes for immigrants in the state of Maine. What began as a small but mighty coalition of 20 members is now a unique and diverse network of over 100 organizations with the same goal: to foster immigrant inclusion and integration through both support programs and policies.

Member organizations, a majority of which are led by people of color, work hand in hand with each other as well as local and state legislature to represent diverse ethnic communities across our state. Policy reform, information sharing,  collaboration with partners, community outreach, and education are just a few of the ways in which we strive to strengthen Maine and combat the most pressing issues facing our immigrant population. MIRC based in Portland operates statewide, with activities concentrated in Cumberland, Androscoggin, York, Kennebec, and Washington counties. The specific cities where there are concentrated services are: Greater Portland, Lewiston, Auburn, Bath, Brunswick, Freeport Augusta, Bangor, Milbridge,  Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Saco, and Sanford.

Meet the Speakers

Ruben Luna Torres joined the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) in October 2022 as a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and community empowerment. In his role, he collaborates with community partners across Maine to develop MIRC’s policy priorities. Torres often works with government officials in Augusta and city halls throughout the state. Torres’ advocacy efforts also include promoting the organization through both traditional and social media channels.

Before joining MIRC, Torres worked in the finance sector after graduating from the University of Maine Orono with a Master’s in Global Policy and a Bachelor’s in International Affairs, minoring in Legal Studies. During this time, he expanded his knowledge of international finance while studying at Carlos III University in Madrid, where he traveled throughout Europe.

Originally from California, Torres is deeply committed to inclusivity and community building. He strives to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, fostering dialogue and collaboration to create a more equitable society. In his free time, he enjoys cooking with local products, discovering new places, and watching football!

Hunter Cropsey (he/him) joined the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) in the Summer of 2024 as the Senior Program and Community Engagement Manager. In this role, Hunter engages our coalition members to support their development. Acting as a project manager, resource navigator, consultant, and all-around “extra pair of hands,” he is committed to cultivating a resilient community of organizations serving immigrants in Maine.  Hunter brings a wide array of experience from for-profit, nonprofit, and public organizations–with a particular focus on organizational “start-ups.” Prior to joining MIRC, Hunter was the first staffer at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (Permanent Commission), a new independent State agency in Maine tasked with advising all three branches of government on disparities experienced by historically marginalized communities. Serving as the Acting Operations Director he helped establish core structural, financial, and administrative systems. Hunter also brings a background in political organizing and community engagement, as well as supply chain management. Hunter is originally from Western Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Public Policy, Planning, and Management from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine.

Why This Matters for New Hampshire

The Maine enforcement surge is a cautionary tale for New England advocates:

• Unexpected enforcement spikes can strain community resources and legal service capacity.
• Information networks and hotlines matter when people need accurate answers quickly.
• Policy engagement at multiple levels — local, state, federal — can shape how enforcement unfolds and how communities respond.

As immigration policy continues to develop through 2026, building regional connections, shared strategies, and preparedness is essential.

Don’t Miss This Conversation

Please join us March 12th from 9 AM–11 AM via Zoom:

 Learn from Maine’s real‑time experience.
 Strengthen cross‑state ties among service providers, advocates, and organizers.
 Gain actionable insights for policy, communications, legal support, and community engagement.

At our Bi-monthly table meetings, we gather virtually to strengthen relationships across New Hampshire’s immigrant-support ecosystem and learn from colleagues navigating rapid policy shifts in our region.

What to Expect:

• Relationship-Building Time: We will begin with structured networking exercises designed to deepen connections and spark collaboration.
• Expert Briefing: Hear directly from informational speakers, professionals in the immigration field.  This month it will be MIRC leaders about Maine’s recent ICE enforcement surge and what it means for advocacy, rapid response, and policy strategy in 2026 — with focused discussion on implications for New Hampshire.
• Member Updates: After the presentation, we’ll open the floor for updates from participants.
   Please drop your updates in the Zoom chat early in the meeting. Some attendees may need to leave before the end, and if discussion runs long, we want to ensure your work is lifted up.

About the Welcoming NH Table

The Welcoming NH Table is a convening space for organizations, service providers, advocates, and community leaders committed to immigrant and refugee inclusion in New Hampshire.

We meet bi-monthly to:

• Share updates on immigration policy and community impacts
• Exchange resources and best practices
• Identify opportunities for collaboration
• Strengthen statewide networks of support

Our shared goal is simple and urgent: to make New Hampshire more welcoming for everyone, with specific attention to immigrants and refugees.

Beyond these meetings, Welcoming NH maintains a website, social media presence, and a quarterly newsletter to keep individuals and organizations informed and connected.

If you are not yet on the Welcoming NH Table mailing list and would like to join us on March 12 — or be added for future updates — please email:

WelcomingNH@miracoalition.org

We hope you will join us for this important conversation and community-building space, and if there are others in your organizations or that you work with that would benefit from attending please let them know, or connect them to us.