U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced Thursday that an “enhanced” Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Maine has ended, following direct talks with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
According to Collins, the temporary surge of federal immigration agents deployed in the state has concluded, and no large-scale operations are currently underway or planned.
Enhanced ICE Surge Concluded
“While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine,” Collins said in a statement.
“I appreciate the secretary’s willingness to listen to and consider my recommendations and her personal attention to the situation in Maine,” she added, according to The Hill:
The Maine Republican has declined to join some of her Republican colleagues, such as Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who have called for the Department of Homeland Security chief to resign or be fired.
Collins told reporters Monday afternoon that she had spoken to Noem and initially declined to reveal the details of their conversation, but later said she asked her to pause the agency’s surge of immigration enforcement officials to both Maine and Minnesota.
The elevated enforcement effort in Maine, referred to by federal officials as “Operation Catch of the Day,” had focused largely on the Portland and Lewiston areas. Collins said those enhanced activities are now over.
She emphasized that standard ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, which have existed in Maine for years, will continue.
Concerns Over Scope and Detentions
Collins argued that the operations were overly broad and raised concerns among constituents from all walks of life.
Immigration attorneys and family members have said that hundreds of arrests in Maine included individuals with no public safety threat who were pursuing lawful immigration pathways.
The senior U.S. senator publicly pressed DHS to narrow its focus, calling for more targeted enforcement and clearer legal justification. She made similar requests regarding ICE activity in Minnesota.
Backlash and Broader Context
The announcement comes amid growing public backlash over federal immigration enforcement, particularly following recent fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minnesota.
Advocates and local officials in Maine welcomed news of the surge ending but cautioned that routine enforcement remains in place.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said the reported conclusion of the operation does not undo what she described as the “pain and suffering” experienced by immigrant communities. She also called for greater transparency regarding those already detained.
Political Stakes Ahead of 2026
Collins is seeking reelection to a sixth term in 2026. While she has a long record of strong constituent service and outperforming polling expectations, her seat is viewed as one of Democrats’ top pickup targets.
Mills formally entered the race late last year, setting up a high-profile contest that is widely seen as a toss-up. The outcome is expected to hinge largely on voter concerns about the economy and immigration enforcement.
Expect this to be one of the most expensive and hard-fought races of the upcoming midterm cycle.
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So the Somalis in Maine get away with everything scott free?
Political horse trading. Acceptable if limited to Maine.
Calling Collins a Republican disrespects all of the true Republican patriots in America. She is a disciple of Murkowski and does whatever she and Schumer instruct her to do. What a waste. She needs to be gone.