Maine Leaders Clash Over Rising ICE Arrests Amid Senate Race

Sun Jan 25 2026 23:49:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Maine grapples with a surge in ICE arrests, state officials split along party lines, highlighting stark contrasts in their responses as elections loom.

Amid a critical Senate race, Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills and Republican Senator Susan Collins expressed conflicting views on the recent increase in ICE arrests. Mills called for transparency from ICE and condemned their tactics, while Collins emphasized the need for law enforcement's pursuit of criminals. With protests planned across the state, community leaders raise concerns over the impact on immigrant populations in Maine.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — In the midst of a high-stakes Senate race, Maine’s leading Republican and Democratic officials expressed contrasting opinions on Friday regarding an uptick in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests across the state.

Democratic Governor Janet Mills questioned the legitimacy of ICE’s actions, demanding they provide judicial warrants and detailed information about those being detained. “Let me be clear: Maine will not be intimidated, and the reckless actions that we’ve seen ICE turn to will not be tolerated here in Maine,” Mills stated.

Conversely, Republican Senator Susan Collins refrained from critiquing ICE directly, asserting that individuals living in the country legally should not be the targets of such investigations. Collins suggested that enhancing accountability measures, like body cameras for ICE agents, could foster trust with the community.

As protests against ICE are scheduled in major Maine cities, Collins encouraged demonstrators not to obstruct ongoing arrests.

Collins remarked, “There are people in Maine and elsewhere who have entered this country illegally and who have engaged in criminal activity.” She warned protestors to be cautious in their demonstrations to avoid interfering with law enforcement.

Mills is vying for Collins’ Senate seat, facing off against Graham Platner in the Democratic primary, who has vocally criticized the ICE actions, which he claims target legal residents. Platner shared advice on social media for resisting ICE efforts, stating, “Over the past couple days, ICE’s operations are clearly rounding up people who are legally in the state of Maine.”

ICE's 'Operation Catch of the Day'

Naming their escalation 'Operation Catch of the Day,' ICE announced it has about 1,400 targets and has begun apprehending individuals with serious criminal records. The actions triggered anxiety within Maine’s communities, especially in Portland and Lewiston, where notable immigrant populations reside.

Community reactions range from fear to anger, as local leaders report that families are staying indoors. Cristian Vaca, an immigrant from Ecuador, recounted a threatening interaction with ICE agents outside his home, despite holding legal status.

Maximizing community involvement, organizers have announced an upcoming demonstration in downtown Portland. Students and local residents express their commitment to supporting their neighbors amidst the turmoil.

As the Senate race progresses, the focus remains on how these escalating situations might influence the balance of power in Congress, with Mills' candidacy against Collins representing more than personal ambition but a turning point for policy and community respect.