This may prove an unwise strategy. Without the distraction of ICE, attention may refocus on the ongoing social program fraud that’s everywhere; it’s not confined to Somalis, nor the state of Maine

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lewiston’s white somalians march in protest

Unfortunately, the outrage seems to have worked:

ICE ends its surge in Maine, Susan Collins’ office says

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge is over.

That’s according to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ office, which announced the end of the surge in a Thursday morning press release.

“While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine,” Collins said in a statement. “There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here…..

ICE and Customs and Border Patrol will continue their normal operations that have been ongoing here for many years. [Exactly — that’s the point].

Thursday’s news was greeted optimistically if somewhat skeptically by Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, whose city was targeted in the surge.

“If this report is accurate, it is welcome news. ICE operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety and have caused lasting damage to our communities. We will continue working to ensure that those who were wrongfully detained by ICE are returned to us. I want to thank the public and all the community partners who came together during this time. Over the past few weeks, I’ve witnessed the very best of us and I couldn’t be more proud of us as a community,” Sheline said in a statement.

He went on to call for the Trump administration to withdraw ICE from Minnesota as well.

And then there’s this: