What ICE Activity in Maine Could Look Like After End of Enforcement Surge

A new report sheds light on ICE arrest patterns before the recent statewide operation.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 8:07pm

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A new report from the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (MIRC) analyzes ICE data in Maine from September 2023 to October 2025, providing insight into what ICE activity in the state may look like going forward after the end of the recent enforcement surge. The report found that ICE averaged roughly one arrest per day during that time period, predominantly targeting working-age men from African and Latin American countries, with a majority not having criminal convictions. The coalition also tracks ICE activity through a public hotline, which has seen a significant decrease in reports since the end of the enhanced operations.

Why it matters

The end of the ICE enforcement surge in Maine has raised questions about the agency's future presence and activities in the state. This report provides valuable data and context to understand the typical level and nature of ICE operations in Maine, which can help inform discussions and policies around immigration enforcement in the state.

The details

According to the MIRC report, ICE activity in Maine prior to the recent enforcement surge was generally more targeted and less disruptive than what residents saw during the surge. The report found that ICE predominantly arrested working-age men, with a disproportionate number of arrests involving people from African and Latin American countries. Notably, a majority of those arrested did not have criminal convictions. The coalition also tracks ICE activity through a public hotline, which saw a significant decrease in reports from a high of 900 per day at the height of the surge to around 175 daily reports since the end of the enhanced operations.

  • The MIRC report analyzed ICE data in Maine from September 2023 through October 2025.
  • U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced the end of the ICE enforcement surge, named Operation Catch of the Day, one week ago.

The players

Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (MIRC)

An immigrant advocacy group that analyzed ICE data in Maine and tracks ICE activity through a public hotline.

Ruben Torres

Advocacy and policy manager for the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins

Announced the end of the ICE enforcement surge in Maine.

Department of Homeland Security

Did not respond to a request for comment on ICE's future presence and activities in Maine.

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What they’re saying

“I think that data gave us a better idea of what we're expecting to see.”

— Ruben Torres, Advocacy and policy manager, Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition

“During the surge, we were seeing folks being caught up in grocery store parking lots, on the highway on their way to work.”

— Ruben Torres, Advocacy and policy manager, Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment on what ICE's presence in Maine will look like moving forward and to clarify who was targeted during the recent enforcement surge.

The takeaway

This report provides valuable data and context to understand the typical level and nature of ICE operations in Maine prior to the recent enforcement surge, which can help inform discussions and policies around immigration enforcement in the state going forward.