Sen. Susan Collins announces end to large-scale ICE operations in Maine

Collins says she urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the agency's approach in the state.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:55am

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U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased its "enhanced operations" and large-scale immigration enforcement actions in the state. Collins said she had direct communications with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and was able to get ICE to reconsider its approach in Maine.

Why it matters

The announcement comes after a surge of ICE activity in Maine over the past week that resulted in over 200 arrests, raising concerns among state officials and immigrant advocates about the tactics used. Collins, a veteran Republican senator, is up for reelection this year and has faced pressure from Democrats to take a stronger stance against the ICE operations.

The details

Collins said ICE and border patrol officials will continue their normal, ongoing operations in Maine, but there will be no more large-scale enforcement actions. The initial ICE operation, dubbed "Catch of the Day", had targeted about 1,400 people in the mostly rural state with a foreign-born population of just 4%. While some of those arrested were violent felons, others had unresolved immigration proceedings or were arrested but never convicted of a crime.

  • On January 29, 2026, Sen. Susan Collins announced the end of large-scale ICE operations in Maine.
  • Over the past week, ICE conducted an enforcement surge in Maine that resulted in more than 200 arrests.

The players

Sen. Susan Collins

A veteran Republican senator from Maine who is up for reelection in 2026.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of Homeland Security, with whom Collins communicated directly to get ICE to reconsider its approach in Maine.

Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine who has challenged immigration officials to provide more information about the ICE 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

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