Immigration and Customs Enforcement has terminated its enhanced enforcement operations in Maine following the shooting death of an anti-ICE protester in Minneapolis, marking a significant shift in the administration’s immigration strategy.

Collins Secures Operation Suspension

Senator Susan Collins announced Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the end of ICE’s enhanced activities in Maine. The Republican senator had urged the administration to reconsider its enforcement approach following the January 24 death of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti during anti-ICE demonstrations. Collins specifically requested operations be paused in both Maine and Minnesota, calling for a more targeted enforcement scope.

BREAKING: A group of Maine nurses just showed up at Susan Collins’ office to demand she vote against funding ICE following ICE’s killing of nurse Alex Pretti. This is what solidarity looks like. This is power. pic.twitter.com/m71r0qkdU5

— Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) January 28, 2026

Operation Catch of the Day began on January 21, targeting Maine with large-scale enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security reported over 200 arrests by Monday evening, including immigrants from Angola, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Sudan. Those detained faced charges including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment. Regular ICE and Customs and Border Patrol operations will continue unchanged.

Political Tensions Emerge

Democratic Governor Janet Mills had demanded ICE agents leave Maine, arguing many detainees were working residents with children in local schools and no criminal records. Mills, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Collins this year, criticized the broad scope of arrests. The dispute highlights growing tensions between state and federal immigration enforcement priorities.

What This Means

The operation’s suspension represents a rare scaling back of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement following public pressure and political intervention. Collins, New England’s only Republican federal officeholder, successfully leveraged her position to influence national immigration policy. The change signals potential modifications to enforcement strategies in states with strong political opposition while maintaining regular operations nationwide.