Sen. Collins Announces End to ICE Operations in Maine After Talks with Homeland Security

The Republican senator said there are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations in the state.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced that immigration officials have ceased their 'enhanced operations' in the state, which had resulted in more than 200 arrests since last week. Collins, a Republican, said she spoke directly with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and was told there are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations in Maine. The announcement came after President Trump seemed to signal a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting there by federal immigration agents.

Why it matters

The large-scale ICE operations in Maine had caused significant disruption and concern within the state's immigrant communities. Collins' announcement that these operations have been halted is seen as a positive development, though some Democratic leaders have criticized the agency's tactics and called for more transparency and accountability.

The details

Collins said ICE and Border Patrol officials 'will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years.' The announcement came after an operation dubbed 'Catch of the Day' by ICE that resulted in about 50 arrests on the first day and roughly 1,400 operational targets in the mostly rural state. While some of those arrested had been convicted of felonies, others were detainees with unresolved immigration proceedings or who were arrested but never convicted of a crime.

  • The ICE operation in Maine began more than a week ago.
  • On January 29, 2026, Sen. Collins announced the end of the large-scale ICE operations in the state.

The players

Sen. Susan Collins

A Republican U.S. senator from Maine who announced the end of the large-scale ICE operations in the state after speaking with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of Homeland Security who told Sen. Collins that there are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations in Maine.

President Trump

The U.S. president who seemed to signal a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting there by federal immigration agents.

Carl Sheline

The mayor of Lewiston, Maine, who called the scale-down of ICE operations in the state 'welcome news' and described the agency's operations as 'disastrous' for the city.

Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine who announced her Senate candidacy in October and could face Collins in the general election. Mills has challenged immigration officials to provide more information about who is being detained in Maine.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here. I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the Administration to get ICE to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in the state.”

— Sen. Susan Collins

“ICE operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety and have caused lasting damage to our communities. We will continue working to ensure that those who were wrongfully detained by ICE are returned to us.”

— Carl Sheline, Mayor of Lewiston, Maine

What’s next

Collins said ICE and Border Patrol officials 'will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years.' It remains to be seen if the large-scale operations will resume in the future or if this marks a more permanent shift in ICE's approach in Maine.

The takeaway

The halt of the large-scale ICE operations in Maine is a significant development, as the agency's actions had caused significant disruption and concern within the state's immigrant communities. While some praised the move, others have called for more transparency and accountability from ICE, highlighting the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement in the U.S.