ICE Ends Maine Surge as Border Czar Vows Continued Minnesota Operation

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ended its "enhanced operations" in Maine after a call with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and that there are "no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here," officials confirmed.

The drawdown follows "Operation Catch of the Day," which began the week of Jan. 20 and led to more than 200 arrests in Portland and Lewiston, prompting legal aid requests and concerns from family members and attorneys, according to attorneys and Collins' statement.

Tom Homan, director of Border and Immigration Enforcement, spoke at a Minneapolis press conference and said he would remain in Minnesota "until the problem's gone," but pledged to implement "improvements" and suggested drawdowns would depend on cooperation from Minnesota officials, according to his remarks.

The operation in Minnesota has been marked by clashes and deaths, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in two separate incidents in January, and has prompted bipartisan criticism and calls for oversight, according to officials and public statements.

With the federal funding deadline approaching on Friday and a failed Senate funding amendment to rein in ICE, lawmakers across parties have demanded restrictions and investigations, and officials warned the agency's nationwide posture could shift depending on pending congressional action and local cooperation.