Sen. Collins Announces End to Large-Scale ICE Operations in Maine

After talks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Collins says ICE will return to normal operations in the state.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:23pm

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U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced that federal immigration officials have ceased their 'enhanced operations' in the state, which had resulted in over 200 arrests since last week. Collins said she had direct communications with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who agreed to halt the large-scale ICE enforcement surge in Maine.

Why it matters

The ICE enforcement surge in Maine had drawn criticism from state officials and advocacy groups, who argued that the operations were targeting individuals without criminal convictions and disrupting immigrant communities. Collins' announcement signals a shift in the federal government's approach to immigration enforcement in the state.

The details

Collins said that while ICE and Border Patrol will continue their normal operations in Maine, there are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE actions in the state. The senator had been urging the administration to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in Maine, which has a relatively small foreign-born population compared to other parts of the country.

  • On January 29, 2026, Sen. Susan Collins announced the end of large-scale ICE operations in Maine.
  • The ICE enforcement surge in Maine had begun the previous week, resulting in over 200 arrests.

The players

Sen. Susan Collins

A veteran Republican senator from Maine who is up for re-election in 2026.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of Homeland Security, with whom Collins communicated to halt the large-scale ICE operations in Maine.

Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine who has challenged immigration officials to provide more information about their operations in the state.

Graham Platner

A first-time Democratic candidate running against Gov. Mills in the primary, who has criticized both Mills' and Collins' handling of the ICE operations and called for the agency to be dismantled.

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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

“I would host a separate protest later outside Collins' office in Bangor, Maine.”

— Graham Platner, Democratic candidate

What’s next

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The takeaway

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