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Maine Sets Record for Border Patrol Arrests as Illegal Entries Decline

CBP credits targeted enforcement plus expanded intelligence-sharing for the result.

Overview

  • Agents in the Houlton Sector apprehended 725 people in fiscal 2025, surpassing the previous record of 685 set in 2001.
  • Total illegal entries reported in Maine fell to 6,719 in fiscal 2025, down sharply from 23,495 the year before, according to CBP data.
  • CBP reports an 80% decrease in crossings between ports of entry in Maine and no known gotaways since January.
  • The agency attributes the outcomes to resource shifts, a heightened frontline posture, improved infrastructure and partnerships with federal, state, local and international counterparts.
  • CBP says those apprehended included members of MS-13, South American Theft Groups and Tren de Aragua, while advocates note some detainees were later released and a bill limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement is awaiting action by Gov. Janet Mills.