US EditionICE ends enhanced enforcement activities in Maine, Sen. Collins says
ICE's intensified enforcement in Maine ended after over 200 arrests sparked widespread community concern and official pushback, prompting calls for more targeted immigration actions.
- On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ended its enhanced activities in Maine, saying Secretary Kristi Noem informed her, `There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here.`
- Federal officials launched 'Operation Catch of the Day' on Jan. 20, targeting about 1,400 in Maine with roughly 50 arrests on the first day and over 200 overall.
- Gov. Janet Mills and Mayors of affected communities criticized secretive arrests and demanded warrants, while Families and immigrant advocacy groups in Maine reported school absences and closed businesses.
- Collins said ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing in Maine for years, and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline welcomed the news, saying, `If this report is accurate, it is welcome news.`
- Critics have linked the surge to calls to cut DHS funding as intensified scrutiny follows Alex Pretti's killing, with Sen. Susan Collins facing reelection this year amid political pressure.
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68 Articles
Collins says Noem agreed to cease ICE operation in Maine
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said on Thursday that the Trump administration agreed to end a sweeping Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation that recently began in Maine. The Department of Homeland Security surged ICE’s presence in the state last week as part of Operation Catch of the Day. The move sparked opposition from Collins, who said further review of the agency’s tactics is needed before conducting missions after two U.S. citizens wer…
Sen. Collins says ICE has ended large-scale operations in Maine after talks with Noem
“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here,” Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement. “I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the Administration to get ICE to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in the state."
Homeland Security halting enhanced ICE operations in Maine, Sen. Collins says
John Wilson from Bangor at the anti-ICE rally in the Agora Palace Event Center in Lewiston on Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said early Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ended its enhanced immigration operation in the state of Maine. The Republican senator said she had several “direct conversations” with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem since the agency launched it…
Susan Collins says ICE ended its enforcement surge in Maine
Anti-ICE sentiment is expressed on a traffic sign, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Biddeford. Photo by Robert F. Bukaty of the Associated Press.This story was produced as part of a partnership with NOTUS and the nonprofit, nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute. Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told her large-scale ICE operations in Maine have ended and there are currently no planned operations for the…
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