Immigration Enforcement Reportedly Resurges in Rural Maine

Advocates raise concerns over recent arrests and lack of communication from federal authorities

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Advocates for immigrant rights in Maine say they have been notified of increased immigration enforcement activity in rural areas of the state, including a reported raid near farmworker housing in Skowhegan that resulted in over a dozen arrests. This comes after a targeted ICE operation in Maine in late January, known as 'Operation Catch of the Day', which sparked fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. While federal officials have indicated the Skowhegan case was part of an ongoing targeted operation, advocates worry this could signal a new phase of enhanced enforcement in the state.

Why it matters

The reported increase in immigration enforcement activity in rural Maine has raised alarm among advocates and officials, who say the lack of communication from federal authorities is contributing to an atmosphere of fear in immigrant communities. There are concerns that these sudden, disruptive enforcement actions could have significant impacts on families, workplaces, and local economies that rely on immigrant labor.

The details

On Tuesday, a witness reported that more than a dozen people were arrested near farmworker housing in Skowhegan. This came the same day as local police said ICE had arrested a man in Brunswick. While U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not confirmed the Skowhegan arrests, a spokesperson for Senator Susan Collins said federal officials indicated it was part of a 'targeted operation'. The owner of Backyard Farms, where the Skowhegan workers were reportedly from, said the workers in question were contractors and not Backyard Farms employees.

  • On Tuesday, February 11, 2026, more than a dozen people were reportedly arrested near farmworker housing in Skowhegan.
  • Also on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, local police said ICE had arrested a man in Brunswick.

The players

Mufalo Chitam

Executive director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

Blake Kernen

Spokesperson for U.S. Senator Susan Collins.

Geoff Kosar

Vice president of marketing for Mastrondari Produce, the owner of Backyard Farms.

Janet Mills

Democratic governor of Maine.

Chellie Pingree

U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st congressional district, a Democrat.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We worry this may indicate the start of a new phase of enhanced enforcement activity in the state that began with the surge in January.”

— Mufalo Chitam, Executive director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition)

“Senator Collins' office has been in touch with DHS and they have indicated that this Customs and Border Protection action is part of a targeted operation that has been ongoing for years and does not represent a resumption of the enhanced operations that ICE was conducting in Maine.”

— Blake Kernen, Spokesperson for U.S. Senator Susan Collins (Press Herald)

“Why did they come in the first place? Have they stopped? We still have not got answers.”

— Janet Mills (Press Herald)

“Unfortunately, ICE and CBP have been conducting enforcement in Maine long before 'Operation Catch of the Day' and because they got tens of billions of dollars in the Big Ugly Bill, it's clear that their ramped-up presence will continue to be felt in Maine.”

— Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st congressional district (Press Herald)

What’s next

The judge in the case of the man arrested in Brunswick without an administrative warrant will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The reported increase in immigration enforcement activity in rural Maine has sparked fears and uncertainty within immigrant communities, highlighting the need for greater transparency and communication from federal authorities. This situation underscores the ongoing tensions around immigration policy and its impact on local communities.