Maine’s senior senator says she has successfully convinced the Trump administration to call off a controversial immigration enforcement sweep in her state. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, announced on Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security agreed to stop the “surge” of ICE agents that had recently arrived in Maine.
The crackdown, known as “Operation Catch of the Day,” brought a wave of federal agents into the state last week.
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Collins said she went straight to the top to express her concerns. She spoke directly with the White House and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asking them to hit the pause button.
Collins argued that the agency needs to take a hard look at its tactics before launching these kinds of missions. She specifically pointed to the death of Alex Pretti as a reason to demand an independent investigation and a review of how these operations are handled.
“At this time of heightened tensions, these steps are necessary to help improve trust, accountability, and safety,” Collins wrote in her statement.
It appears the administration listened. According to the senator, Secretary Noem confirmed that the enhanced activities in Maine have officially ended.
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While the Department of Homeland Security usually keeps quiet about specific law enforcement moves, Collins said she was given the green light to share the news. She noted there are now “no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations” in the state.
However, this doesn’t mean federal agents are leaving entirely. Collins clarified that regular, day-to-day work by ICE and Customs and Border Patrol will keep going just as it has for years.
She said she plans to keep working with Secretary Noem on border issues like drug smuggling and illegal immigration, but she was grateful the administration was willing to listen to her warnings and rethink their approach in Maine.
Collins’ Full Statement:
“While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine,” said Senator Collins. “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. I appreciate the Secretary’s willingness to listen to and consider my recommendations and her personal attention to the situation in Maine. ICE and Customs and Border Patrol will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years. I will continue to work with the Secretary on efforts to end illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and other transnational criminal activity.”
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