Portland, Maine — U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said Thursday that immigration officials have halted their “enhanced operations” in the state, which has seen an increase in law enforcement and… More than 200 arrests Since last week.
Collins, a Republican, announced the development after saying she spoke directly with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here,” Collins said in a statement, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I have been urging Secretary Noem and others in the administration to persuade ICE to reconsider its approach to enforcing the state’s immigration laws.”
The announcement came after President Donald Trump appeared to indicate he was willing to ease tensions in Minneapolis next Second fatal shooting There by federal immigration agents.
Immigration, Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officials “will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years,” Collins said.
An email seeking comment was sent Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security.
Collins’ announcement comes more than a week after immigration officers began an operation ICE dubbed “Catch of the Day.” Federal officials said about 50 people were arrested on the first day, and that nearly 1,400 people were operational targets in the rural state of 1.4 million, 4% of whom were foreign-born. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently said more than 200 people have been arrested since the operation began.
In Lewiston, one of the cities targeted by ICE, Mayor Carl Schelin called the reduction welcome news and described the agency’s operations as “disastrous” for the city and others.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety and have caused lasting harm to our communities. We will continue to work to ensure that those wrongfully detained by ICE are returned to us,” said Shelene, who leads a city where the charter requires the mayor’s office to be nonpartisan.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin noted last week that some of the arrests were of people “convicted of horrific crimes including aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.” Drawn court records A little different story: While some have been convicted of felonies, others have been detained in unresolved immigration proceedings or were arrested but not convicted of any crime.
Collins, a veteran senator, is up for re-election this year. Unlike a handful of Republican senators facing potentially difficult campaigns, Collins has not called for Noem to step down or be fired. She also avoided criticizing ICE’s tactics, going beyond saying that people who are in the U.S. legally should not be the target of ICE’s investigations.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who announced her Senate candidacy last October and could face Collins in the general election, has asked immigration officials to provide warrants, real-time arrest numbers and basic information about… Who is being held in Maine. Collins also called for action after defeating the Democrats’ House GOP majority. Efforts to reduce ICE funding.
Mills’ office did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment on Collins’ announcement.
Meanwhile, first-time Democratic candidate Graham Blatner — who is running against Mills in the primary — criticized Mills and Collins’ handling of ICE and called for the agency to be dismantled. Blatner held a protest Thursday outside Collins’ office in Portland, Maine, where dozens of supporters carried signs and sang with him.
Blattner said he would host a separate protest later outside Collins’ office in Bangor, Maine.
Several prominent Maine Democrats expressed cautious optimism about ICE’s withdrawal while also criticizing the agency’s actions.
“If these enhanced operations do cease, it could lead to a reduced visible federal presence in our state,” said U.S. Rep. Chelly Pingree, who represents the Portland area. “But I think it’s important for people to understand what we’ve seen throughout this process: individuals who are legally allowed to be in the United States, whether through lawful presence or authorized period of residence, follow the rules, and are detained anyway.
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Croci reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writer Cathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.