Concern for detainees after agents finish 'enhanced operation' in Maine

Federal authorities have ended an immigration enforcement surge in Maine, a state senator said yesterday, even as Donald Trump's "border tsar" insisted the much bigger operation in Minnesota would continue.

- Cate Brown and Rachel Leingang Minneapolis Chris Stein

Susan Collins, a Republican, cited a conversation with the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, that the “enhanced operation” in her state of Maine had been wrapped up.

“Operation Catch of the Day” has targeted immigrant communities and led to the detention of more than 200 people in a week.

Most have already been removed from the state, sparking concerns from family members and lawyers that the detainees will face greater odds of removal outside Maine.

“There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations here,” Collins wrote on social media.

She said she had urged the agency to reconsider its approach to enforcement and that ICE and customs and border officers would continue their “normal operations”.

“We have noticed a dramatic downswing of enforcement [in Maine] since the week started,” said Jenny Beverly of Haven Immigration Law, which has been fielding legal aid requests related to the surge.

Noem’s apparent decision to end the Maine enforcement push comes as the administration appears to be reassessing its activity nationwide after rebukes from Republican and Democratic politicians.

Federal agents have killed two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in the space of two weeks, sparking nationwide outrage.