Monday, February 9, 2026-Maine has been rocked by controversy after a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, led to hundreds of arrests and sparked widespread backlash across the state.
Though federal authorities described the effort as targeting individuals with criminal records, critics — including healthcare workers, labor leaders, and immigrant advocates — say many people detained had no serious offenses and that the aggressive enforcement created fear and disruption in local communities. Workers reported avoiding public spaces and altering daily routines out of concern for sudden detentions, highlighting how tense the situation has become.
The political fallout is now spilling into the national spotlight, where the backlash against the raids is seen as a potential threat to Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ re-election bid — a race closely watched for its implications on control of the U.S. Senate.
Collins, a longtime GOP senator from Maine, said she had urged Homeland Security leadership to reconsider the operation and later announced that “enhanced” enforcement activities were being scaled back after her intervention. However, many residents remain skeptical, saying they still see federal agents in their towns and doubt that the situation has truly ended.
Local demonstrations, union protests, and increased political ads tied to immigration enforcement have amplified pressure on Collins and energized Democratic challengers, who are using the issue as a centerpiece of their campaigns.
Critics argue the raids have not only disrupted lives but also shifted the political mood in a state that often leans moderate, potentially reshaping voter sentiment ahead of November’s midterm elections. With immigration enforcement now a flashpoint in the race, both sides are bracing for intense debate as the campaign season ramps up.
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