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By Jordan King
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ended its special operation in Maine, Senator Susan Collins said.
"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," she wrote on X on Thursday.
It comes after ICE launched "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine last week, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said was aimed at "targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities."
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Newsweek contacted Collins' office and ICE for comment by email outside outside of normal working hours.
Why It Matters
The decision to end the special operation in Maine comes amid heightened scrutiny of DHS leadership and ICE operations after Alex Pretti and Renee Good were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.
President Donald Trump also said on Tuesday that his administration was planning to "de-escalate a little bit" in Minnesota following the two killings.
What To Know
Collins told local outlet Maine Public that she had spoken to Noem on Monday to ask her to pause ICE operations in Maine and Minnesota "so that they could be reviewed and far more targeted in their scope."
She said she had received multiple calls from constituents who were fearful and angry about the ICE operation.
ICE said last week that within one day of launching "Operation Catch of the Day," agents had arrested "criminal illegal aliens charged and convicted of horrific crimes including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said at the time that Maine Governor Janet Mills "and her fellow sanctuary politicians in Maine have made it abundantly clear that they would rather stand with criminal illegal aliens than protect law-abiding American citizens."
But this operation now appears to have been halted, with Collins writing on Thursday: "There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here."
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What People Are Saying
Collins wrote on X: "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."
McLaughlin said last week: "We have launched Operation Catch of the Day to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in the state. On the first day of operations, we arrested illegal aliens charged and convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are no longer allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens."
Mills said last week: "If they have warrants, show the warrants. In America, we don't believe in secret arrests or secret police."
What Happens Next
Collins said ICE and Customs and Border Patrol would return to routine enforcement in Maine while she continues discussions with DHS on narrowing enforcement priorities and addressing cross-border criminal activity.
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