(WASHINGTON) ICE arrests in Washington state fell in July but stayed high by recent standards, with 218 arrests recorded — a 25% drop from June yet the second-highest monthly total since September 2023. The July pullback mirrors a national dip after months of stepped-up enforcement. Even with the decline, community groups say the pace still weighs on mixed-status families and workplaces across the state.
Data reviewed by the University of California’s Deportation Data Project and the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge show a shift in who ICE is arresting. The share of ICE arrests in Washington that involved people with no criminal record dropped from 56% in June to 42% in July 2025, suggesting field teams focused more on people with convictions or pending charges last month.
In Washington, about 38% of those arrested in July had criminal convictions, and 20% faced pending charges, according to the same analysis. Nationally, Department of Homeland Security officials say about 70% of recent arrests involve people with criminal convictions or pending charges.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Washington’s pattern lines up with a broader national cooling in July, even as enforcement stays strong. The overall pace still reflects the Trump administration’s harder line, which includes wider community arrests for people who violated immigration laws, such as overstays or failure to comply with removal orders.
Arrest trends and who is being targeted
ICE officials say they are prioritizing people with criminal records, including those convicted of violent crimes. The agency has highlighted arrests tied to serious offenses such as rape, attempted homicide, domestic assault, and drug trafficking.
In early August, ICE announced operations aimed at the “worst of the worst,” signaling that the July dip does not mark a change in direction. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has publicly framed the strategy as a public safety push, with repeated emphasis on removing violent criminals and gang members.
Field teams in Washington are still making administrative arrests — arrests for immigration violations — while Homeland Security Investigations handles criminal arrests related to serious crimes. The Deportation Data Project notes that, over the past year, more people with no criminal record have shown up in Washington arrest data, a trend that fueled community concern. July’s lower share of non-criminal arrests eased that pressure slightly but did not erase it.
Key numbers for Washington in July:
– 218 ICE arrests statewide
– 25% month-over-month decline from June
– 38% with criminal convictions
– 20% with pending charges
– Share of people arrested with no criminal record down to 42% (from 56% in June)
Policy context and national backdrop
During the Trump years, arrest goals rose sharply and removal targets grew. That same period saw fresh congressional support for enforcement, including $75 million backing core operations. With that funding and direction, ICE widened its reach beyond jails and prisons to more community arrests.
In Washington, this meant more:
– workplace stops
– home visits
– at-large arrests
Immigration lawyers say these tactics ripple through schools, churches, and small businesses.
Alternatives to detention and community impacts
Officials expanded the Alternatives-to-Detention program and increased use of ankle monitors. The number of people tracked under those devices rose in several areas, including Washington, D.C., and Chicago offices.
For families, ankle monitors can have mixed effects:
– For some: allow a parent to stay home rather than be held in detention.
– For others: bring stress, lost work hours, and social stigma.
Public opinion remains a factor. Mid-2025 polling shows:
– 79% of Americans say immigration is good for the country
– 62% disapprove of President Trump’s immigration policies
Advocates in Washington interpret these numbers as support for fair rules and targeted enforcement that keep families together when possible. They warn that wide community arrests can lead to sudden family separations, even for long-settled workers with U.S.-born children. Business owners — especially in farming and food processing — say surprise arrests can disrupt shifts and scare off needed labor.
ICE says it weighs public safety first. According to agency statements and DHS briefings, roughly 70% of recent national arrests involve people with convictions or pending charges, and recent operations focused on violent offenders.
What happens after an arrest
Outcomes depend on the case:
1. People picked up for immigration violations may be:
– detained, or
– placed in Alternatives-to-Detention with ankle monitors, phone check-ins, or in-person reporting.
2. Those accused of serious crimes are referred to criminal processes, often through Homeland Security Investigations, before immigration proceedings move forward.
ICE also accepts tips by phone: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
For readers tracking the numbers and direction of enforcement, ICE posts regular updates online. Official data and summaries are available at the agency’s statistics page: https://www.ice.gov/statistics. Researchers at the University of California’s Deportation Data Project and UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge continue to monitor monthly shifts in arrests and who is being targeted. TRAC Immigration also publishes detention and enforcement data, and attorneys in Washington say those sources help them plan capacity for “know your rights” clinics and court support.
Community response and daily realities
The July decline in Washington arrives amid a complex mix of policy, politics, and community need. Families watch the numbers closely; a small drop can ease anxiety for a week or a month, but the high baseline keeps fear alive.
Community impacts include:
– legal hotlines reporting spikes in calls when at-large arrests rise
– school counselors preparing for sudden student absences after early-morning pickups
– pastors and nonprofits organizing emergency childcare or food assistance when breadwinners lose work
Looking ahead, enforcement in Washington is expected to stay active through late summer and fall. Advocates hope the lower share of non-criminal arrests in July signals a tighter focus on people with recent and serious convictions. ICE leaders say they will keep pushing on public safety.
The final balance may depend on field capacity, court dockets, and national political pressure.
For Washington families, the next report will matter. If August data show arrests remain focused on people with criminal convictions — and non-criminal arrests stay lower — some daily fear could lift. If not, community groups say they will continue urging clearer priorities and more use of supervised release in low-risk cases.
In the meantime, the state’s immigrant communities live with two realities at once: a July dip that brought brief relief, and a higher baseline of enforcement that continues to shape daily life.
This Article in a Nutshell
July’s 218 ICE arrests in Washington fell 25% from June but remained historically high. Data show a shift toward arrests of people with convictions. Community groups report ongoing fear, workplace disruption, and calls for clearer priorities, more transparency, supervised release, and legal resources to protect mixed-status families and essential workers.
