Friday, January 30, 2026-Senator Susan Collins announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ended its enhanced enforcement operations in Maine after she spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying there are no ongoing or planned large‑scale ICE activities in the state.
Collins portrayed the development as a response to her urging that the administration reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in Maine, where a recent surge dubbed “Operation Catch of the Day” led to hundreds of arrests and widespread public backlash. ICE and Customs and Border Patrol are expected to continue their standard immigration duties, but the surge that sparked protests and political uproar has been scaled back.
Collins’ announcement immediately drew criticism from her Democratic opponents, who accused her of trying to take political credit for a retreat they argue was driven by public outrage and pressure rather than her intervention.
The Maine Democratic Party released a statement saying Collins had been a key supporter of Department of Homeland Security funding without meaningful reforms or guardrails on ICE’s powers, and that her claim of opposing the agency’s tactics before was misleading. Opponents highlight that Collins continues to back funding bills that could support future enforcement actions, undercutting her portrayal of the change in Maine as a substantive victory.
Democratic figures including Governor Janet Mills and activists say the end of the enhanced ICE surge does not erase the disruption and fear the operations caused for immigrant communities and local residents, some of whom were arrested despite having lawful status or no criminal records.
Critics argue that Collins’ framing of the news is politically timed as she faces a competitive re‑election battle in a state that leans Democratic, and say the issue will remain a focal point in campaigning. They also contend that without concrete accountability and transparency from federal agencies, similar enforcement spikes could occur again, despite the current pullback.
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