ICE raids in Maine spotlight Sen. Collins' role in funding, sparking backlash ahead of 2026 re-election.

A federal immigration crackdown in Maine, including ICE’s "Operation Catch of the Day," has intensified scrutiny on Sen. Susan Collins ahead of her 2026 re-election bid. The operation, involving heavily armed agents in cities like Lewiston, targeted undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records, sparking protests and accusations of racial and ethnic profiling. Critics, including Democratic challenger Graham Platner and former Gov. Janet Mills, accuse Collins of failing to use her Senate Appropriations Committee influence to curb ICE’s actions despite her support for a GOP-backed DHS funding bill that included body cameras and de-escalation training. Democratic groups are spending over $2 million on ads highlighting her role in ICE funding, while Collins defends her independence and claims she opposed policies she deemed excessive. The raids have largely paused, with community organizing credited for the shift.