In the picturesque state of Maine, two prominent figures from opposing political parties are at the forefront of a highly watched Senate race, each offering contrasting perspectives on a contentious issue. On Friday, the conversation heated up as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increased their arrest numbers, drawing reactions from both sides of the aisle.

Democratic Governor Janet Mills has taken a firm stance, calling for transparency and accountability from immigration officials. She has pressed ICE for judicial warrants, real-time arrest statistics, and essential details about those being detained within the state. Her demands underscore a broader concern about the agency’s practices and their impact on local communities.

Governor Mills did not stop there; she also urged her political opponent, Republican Senator Susan Collins, to take action. This call to action followed the House GOP majority’s rejection of Democratic efforts to reduce ICE’s funding. Mills emphasized her commitment to the state, declaring, “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.”

On the other hand, Senator Collins has maintained a more cautious approach. She refrained from directly criticizing ICE’s methods, instead highlighting that individuals legally residing in the country should not be targeted by the agency’s investigations. Collins has advocated for policies such as equipping ICE personnel with body cameras and providing de-escalation training, which she believes could foster greater accountability and trust between the agency and the public.

Collins avoided criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics, other than to say that people who are in the country legally should not be the target of ICE investigations. She also said that policies she has advocated for, including providing body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE personnel, could help improve accountability and trust.

And as protest organizers announced Friday demonstrations against ICE in Maine’s largest cities, she urged them to avoid interfering with ICE arrests.

“There are people in Maine and elsewhere who have entered this country illegally and who have engaged in criminal activity,” Collins said in a statement. “They could be subject to arrest and deportation pursuant to the laws of the United States, and people who are exercising the right to peacefully gather and protest their government should be careful not to interfere with law enforcement efforts while doing so.”

Several hundred people gathered at night in Portland’s Monument Square to protest ICE, despite frigid and windy conditions. The demonstration was orderly and attracted a minimal police presence as speakers criticized the enforcement surge and people held signs with slogans such as “ICE Out Maine” and other slogans.

“ICE is terrorizing our community, and they don’t belong here,” said demonstrator Levi Alexander, 22, of Portland. “I’m just here to do my part.”

Mills’ run for Collins’ seat could ultimately help determine the balance of the Senate. Mills, who is termed out as governor, must first beat oyster farmer Graham Platner, whose outsider campaign is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, in the Democratic primary. Platner has strongly condemned ICE’s surge in Maine, and posted a video on social media Friday offering step-by-step advice on how to resist.

“Over the past couple days, ICE’s operations are clearly rounding up people who are legally in the state of Maine,” Platner said in the Facebook reel. “I’m sick and tired of hearing that legally there is nothing that law enforcement in Maine can do to protect citizens from these thugs.”

ICE says ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ has about 1,400 targets

The enforcement action began Tuesday and has succeeded in removing dangerous criminals from the community, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to media on Thursday.

Some of the more than 100 arrests were of people “convicted of horrific crimes including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child,” McLaughlin said.

The detentions in Maine, a mostly rural state where about 4% of the 1.4 million residents are foreign-born, have sparked anxiety in Portland and Lewiston, which are home to sizable immigrant and refugee populations, particularly from African nations.

Community leaders say that just like in other U.S. cities where the agency has surged forces, some families are staying indoors, avoiding work and keeping children home from school for fear of arrest.

Corrections officers detained

The enforcement surge has also included the detention of corrections officers vetted by county authorities.

York County officials said one of their jail corrections officers was detained by ICE after being summoned to an immigration appointment this week and as of Friday remained in at a detention facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Separately, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said one of his corrections officer recruits was arrested by ICE despite passing background checks and federal employment verification. The person had no known criminal history and was authorized to work in the United States, he added.

“While enforcement actions are being promoted as targeting the ‘worst of the worst,’ the reality appears far more complicated,” York County officials said in statement.

Roofer says ICE agent threatened his family

Cristian Vaca, an immigrant from Ecuador who lives in Biddeford, said ICE agents repeatedly threatened him Wednesday outside his home, where the 28-year-old roofer lives with his wife and young son.

“I’m here legally. I came here in September 2023,” Vaca said, citing his family’s safety and economic opportunity as reasons for the move.

Vaca said he has a U.S. Social Security number, a work permit and pays income taxes. A video Vaca took shows an ICE agent speaking to him through his closed front door.

Before turning away, the agent says, “We’re going to come back for your whole family, OK?” A child’s voice can be heard in the background.

Protest organizers plan gathering in Portland’s Monument Square

Organizers announced more demonstrations, one planned for Friday evening in downtown Portland. A small group of demonstrators also gathered Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning outside an ICE field office in Scarborough.

“Maine is one of those places where you look out for your neighbors and everyone’s there,” said one of the Scarborough demonstrators, college student Ava Gleason. “We’re a community, and to see people come in and rip apart a community is freaking terrifying.”

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Willingham reported from Boston.