Maine Mayor Condemns ICE Expansion in State

Portland mayor wants to speak with ICE director about 'paramilitary approach' to immigration enforcement

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:31pm

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The mayor of Portland, Maine, Mark Dion, has expressed concerns about the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state, saying 'This isn't America' and 'This is not the America I grew up in.' Dion wants to personally speak with the acting ICE director, Todd Lyons, about the agency's 'enforcement tactics that...appear to threaten and intimidate populations.' Maine Senator Susan Collins has also asked the Department of Homeland Security to halt ICE's activities in the state, following unrest during recent immigration operations in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens.

Why it matters

The mayor's comments highlight growing tensions between local officials and federal immigration enforcement efforts, particularly the perceived use of aggressive tactics that some view as undermining community trust and civil liberties. The situation in Maine reflects a broader national debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and protecting vulnerable populations.

The details

ICE has expanded operations in Maine as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. This has prompted a strong rebuke from Portland Mayor Mark Dion, who wants to speak directly with the acting ICE director about the agency's 'paramilitary approach' to enforcement. Dion has questioned the 'need for a paramilitary approach' and expressed concerns about tactics that 'appear to threaten and intimidate populations.' Maine Senator Susan Collins has also intervened, asking the Department of Homeland Security to halt ICE's activities in the state following unrest and deaths during recent immigration operations in Minnesota.

  • Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced 'Operation Catch of the Day' and said they've already started detaining people in Maine.
  • On Wednesday, Maine Senator Susan Collins said she's asking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about halting the agency's operations in the state.
  • During her State of the State address on Tuesday, Maine Governor Janet Mills addressed the issue, saying 'We will not be intimidated' and 'If you seek to harm Maine people, you will have to go through me first.'

The players

Mark Dion

The mayor of Portland, Maine, who has expressed concerns about ICE's 'paramilitary approach' to immigration enforcement in the state.

Todd Lyons

The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whom Mayor Dion wants to speak with directly about the agency's tactics.

Susan Collins

A Republican senator from Maine who has asked the Department of Homeland Security to halt ICE's operations in the state.

Janet Mills

The governor of Maine, who has condemned the use of federal agents in the state and said 'We will not be intimidated.'

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, whom Senator Collins has contacted about halting ICE's activities in Maine.

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What they’re saying

“I'd like to tell that person, 'Is this how you want to see yourself? Is this our legacy to our communities, to our families, our friends? Is this something we could be proud of?'”

— Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland, Maine

“This isn't America. This is not the America I grew up in. We don't turn the police on our citizens.”

— Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland, Maine

“To anyone outside of these halls, including any federal officials, I say, 'If you seek to harm Maine people, you will have to go through me first.'”

— Janet Mills, Governor of Maine

What’s next

Senator Collins has said she is continuing to communicate with DHS Secretary Noem about halting ICE's operations in Maine, and is conveying additional information she has received from constituents.

The takeaway

The tensions in Maine over ICE's expansion reflect a broader national debate about the balance between immigration enforcement and protecting civil liberties and community trust. Local officials are pushing back against what they see as heavy-handed federal tactics, raising questions about the appropriate role of federal agents in local communities.