Democrats in Maine reacted with a mixture of surprise, relief and some confusion to the announcement by Senator Susan Collins early Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had ended its stepped-up enforcement in the state, after a weeklong operation focused in and around the cities of Portland and Lewiston.
Residents who closely tracked the movements of federal agents last week had reported a steep drop-off in their presence in recent days, prompting speculation that federal officials were rethinking their aggressive approach after a second protester was killed in Minneapolis last weekend.
“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,” Senator Collins said in a statement.
Ms. Collins, a Republican who is up for re-election this year in a competitive state, has faced repeated calls from Maine Democrats to forcefully oppose President Trump. Her Democratic challengers in the Senate race include Gov. Janet Mills and a progressive newcomer, Graham Platner, who had planned to lead protests on Thursday at Senator Collins’ offices in Portland and Bangor, calling for her to vote against increasing federal funding for ICE operations.
The Department of Homeland Security said last week that it was targeting 1,400 “criminal illegal aliens” in Maine. On Thursday, ICE said that it had made 206 arrests in the state over five days, “despite the organized efforts from activist groups, radical politicians and protesters to thwart our activities.”
Officials in Maine said some of those detained did not have criminal records.
In a statement, the governor called on the federal government to release details about those arrested in Maine, including their identities, their whereabouts, and plans for resolving their cases.
“This operation and the tactics of federal agents across the nation — including the killing of two American citizens in Minnesota — demand accountability from Congress,” she said. “That begins with removing Kristi Noem — which multiple Republicans have now called for — and Congress rejecting the Department of Homeland Security funding bill until there are measures in place that prohibit ICE’s lawless, dangerous conduct and their abuses of power.”
Many in the state had braced for weeks of intensive enforcement.
“If this report is accurate, it is welcome news,” Carl L. Sheline, a Democrat who is mayor of Lewiston, said in a statement. “ICE operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety and have caused lasting damage to our communities. We will continue working to ensure that those who were wrongfully detained by ICE are returned to us.”
Jenna Russell is the lead reporter covering New England for The Times. She is based near Boston.
The post ICE Ends Operation in Maine After Arresting 206 Over Five Days appeared first on New York Times.
