Maine's 'Border' Surge Put on Hold Amid Push for Reform at ICE
A surprise move by Senator Susan Collins has effectively ended Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) "enhanced activities" in Maine, citing a change of heart from the Trump administration.
Following heated resistance to chaotic operations in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Collins had discussed the matter with her, resulting in a decision to scale back ICE's presence in the state. While normal operations will continue, no large-scale enforcement efforts are currently underway or planned for Maine.
The news comes as Tom Homan, the border czar, was speaking at a press conference in Minneapolis, where he was critical of his own agency's approach and hinted that improvements were needed. "I'm not here because the federal government has carried this mission out perfectly," he said. The Trump administration appears to be backing down amid bipartisan pressure following the tragic killings of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good by ICE officers.
Homan vowed to stay in Minneapolis, but with a reduced number of agents. This is part of a broader effort to address criticism of ICE's tactics and operations, particularly after an internal memo directed officers not to engage with agitators and to focus on issuing commands instead.
In other developments, the Border Patrol Commander responsible for overseeing ICE operations in Minneapolis was removed from his role as "commander-at-large." Prominent GOP senators have also called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's resignation, citing her "amateurish" handling of ICE operations.
A surprise move by Senator Susan Collins has effectively ended Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) "enhanced activities" in Maine, citing a change of heart from the Trump administration.
Following heated resistance to chaotic operations in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Collins had discussed the matter with her, resulting in a decision to scale back ICE's presence in the state. While normal operations will continue, no large-scale enforcement efforts are currently underway or planned for Maine.
The news comes as Tom Homan, the border czar, was speaking at a press conference in Minneapolis, where he was critical of his own agency's approach and hinted that improvements were needed. "I'm not here because the federal government has carried this mission out perfectly," he said. The Trump administration appears to be backing down amid bipartisan pressure following the tragic killings of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good by ICE officers.
Homan vowed to stay in Minneapolis, but with a reduced number of agents. This is part of a broader effort to address criticism of ICE's tactics and operations, particularly after an internal memo directed officers not to engage with agitators and to focus on issuing commands instead.
In other developments, the Border Patrol Commander responsible for overseeing ICE operations in Minneapolis was removed from his role as "commander-at-large." Prominent GOP senators have also called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's resignation, citing her "amateurish" handling of ICE operations.