Maine’s Border Patrol unit places ‘rapid’ order for cold-weather gear

Federal law enforcement officers overseeing the Maine border recently placed rush orders for cold weather gear, mirroring similar moves in Minnesota as cities here brace for a large operation expected here next week.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Houlton Sector, which oversees border security for the entire state, filed a federal notice Thursday seeking a contract with Crye Precision LLC, a Brooklyn-based tactical gear and apparel company, for the “rapid” acquisition of “cold weather apparel.” It did not specify a dollar amount or quantity.

The purchase order is a potential sign of an impending federal raid planned for Maine because it mirrors similar steps taken by immigration authorities ahead of a massive ongoing operation in the Minneapolis area that began in late December. Portland and Lewiston have been quiet but anxious as residents prepare for a potential surge in arrests.

Neither a Houlton sector spokesperson nor Crye Precision responded to messages seeking comment. The company sells items ranging from tactical clothing to bulletproof vests.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed two orders for parkas for special agents “to support an urgent enforcement mission” in St. Paul, one of the two major cities where their activity has focused, according to federal records. ICE also placed two more orders for cold-weather gear this month, but it did not specify where those jackets would be going.

At least 2,000 federal agents were sent to support the operation earlier this month, and 1,000 more were sent this week in what President Donald Trump’s administration has called the largest operation in the history of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Minnesota raid came after federal prosecutors there charged nearly 100 people in November for welfare and Medicaid fraud schemes centered on a large Somali community there. An immigration agent shot and killed a woman in her car last week as massive protests broke out against Trump’s policies.

Maine has drawn scrutiny after state officials paused MaineCare payments to an immigrant health care provider after identifying a credible allegation of fraud just before Christmas.

Two interpreters connected to another provider are facing federal tax fraud charges for an interpreter fraud scheme that a federal law enforcement official warned several years ago could be widespread.

On Tuesday, Trump mentioned those fraud allegations in Maine that have so far been focused on the state’s Somali population.

“They’re scammers. They always will be, and we’re getting them out,” he said. “In Maine, it’s really crooked as hell, too.”