NYC Immigration Arrests and Deportations Surge After Slow Start, Data Show

Immigration arrests and deportations in New York City have surged since June 2025, reversing the slow pace seen earlier this year and surpassing 2024 totals by early July, according to data compiled by researchers and advocacy groups. Enforcement escalated sharply in June and July, with ICE arrest activity in New York City and Buffalo quadrupling compared with the same months in 2024.

The spike comes as the Trump administration executes a broader national crackdown that sweeps in large numbers of people with no criminal convictions, reshaping daily life for immigrant families across the five boroughs.

Where arrests are happening and who is affected

Authorities made far more arrests at and around courthouses and during routine check‑ins, a pattern advocates say has trapped people who are trying to follow the rules. In New York City, the busiest location is 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE averaged 24 arrests per weekday in June and July. Families often waited hours for loved ones who never returned.

Local groups report that about 70% of those arrested during the surge had no criminal record, a share that mirrors national detention data.

“Most courthouse arrests nationally now occur in New York City and often involve people attending required appointments or pending relief hearings,” Murad Awawdeh, who leads the New York Immigration Coalition, warned.

Governor Kathy Hochul has called for the release of those detained at 26 Federal Plaza and pressed federal officials for answers about who is being held and where they are taken.

National detention and court figures (key data)

• 61,226 people in ICE detention nationwide (as of August 24); 70.3%—or 43,021—had no criminal convictions (public datasets reviewed by independent analysts).
• In July alone, 31,273 people were booked into detention.
  • ICE officers made 27,475 of those arrests; others were transferred from other agencies.
• Immigration courts in July completed 70,894 deportation cases:
  • 48,711 removal orders
  • 6,226 voluntary departures

These high volumes raise the risk that people will face hearings without counsel or enough time to prepare.

Enforcement shift under President Trump

The acceleration in New York City reflects a broader federal shift since January 2025. Under President Trump, ICE moved from prioritizing people with recent criminal convictions to arresting a wider group, including:

• long‑time residents with no criminal history,
• people with open cases,
• individuals with prior removal orders, and
• people with pending applications.

Analysts report that non‑criminal ICE arrests have risen more than 800% since April.

The government also expanded the infrastructure to sustain higher arrest levels:

• ICE sought more detention space and urged states to add beds.
• Field offices increased supervision through Alternatives to Detention (ATD).
  • As of August 23, 182,584 people were on ATD nationwide.
  • 11,743 monitored in New York.
  • By the end of July, 25,670 people wore ankle monitors.

Officials argue this is a necessary response to border crossings and a backlog of open cases. Critics counter that the policy sweeps in parents, workers, and students who pose no public‑safety risk and were complying with check‑ins.

VisaVerge.com reports that New York City has become a focal point for these tactics, with courthouse and check‑in arrests now a daily part of local enforcement.

Pace of deportations and possible trajectory

While the administration promised to ramp up deportations, the early pace in 2025 initially lagged behind 2024 monthly averages under President Biden:

• 2024: deportations averaged 57,000 per month
• President Trump’s first month of 2025: average 37,660

The recent surge in immigration arrests suggests a catch‑up phase, backed by a broader enforcement push involving more federal agencies beyond ICE. If courts, flights, and detention space keep pace, deportations could continue to rise in the months ahead.

Practical effects in New York courts and communities

At street level, the fastest change shows up in courthouses and at 26 Federal Plaza. People arriving for hearings, check‑ins, or fingerprint appointments now face a real risk of detention.

• Attorneys report clients “disappear” after courthouse arrests, with family members learning hours later that the person was moved to a holding area or transferred upstate.
• Legal teams scramble to file motions, request bond, or track down the assigned judge—often with little information.

Due process and community impacts

The legal community’s concern centers on due process. When arrests target people with active cases or pending relief, detention can:

• break attorney‑client contact,
• delay document gathering, and
• cut off witnesses who can support a case.

Community groups highlight a chilling effect:

• parents skipping school‑related meetings,
• workers avoiding public transit hubs, and
• crime victims choosing not to report incidents for fear of detention.

In New York City, where mixed‑status families are common, one arrest can disrupt a household’s income, childcare, and health care in a single day.

Detention capacity and information gaps

ICE’s effort to add beds has outpaced public reporting on where people are held and for how long. These data gaps make it harder for attorneys to locate clients and for families to plan visits.

Researchers and advocates urge caution when reading official removal counts because of:

• missing categories,
• slow updates, and
• limited transparency around transfers between facilities and outcomes after bond hearings.

What people can do — practical steps

For people in the system—or at risk—lawyers and advocates recommend:

• Keep key documents in a safe folder at home and have digital copies with a trusted person.
• Memorize or carry attorney contact details.
• Plan for emergencies (childcare, housing, finances) in case a breadwinner is detained.
• If arrested, relatives can call:
  • ICE New York Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
  • Main line: (212) 264‑4213
• Check public detainee locators and speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible.

Possible defense options depend on the facts of a case and may include:

1. Cancellation of removal
2. Asylum
3. Family‑based relief

Even without detention, ATD rules can be strict—charging ankle monitors daily and attending frequent check‑ins. Missing a check‑in can lead to arrest, even with a pending application.

Local response and resources

New York City officials, legal aid groups, and faith‑based networks have ramped up response efforts. The New York Immigration Coalition connects families to legal help and social services and runs know‑your‑rights trainings.

Key advice from advocates includes:

• the right to remain silent,
• insistence on a judge‑signed warrant before opening a door, and
• never signing documents without a lawyer present.

For official policy information, enforcement updates, and contact details, consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For data and analysis, visit the Deportation Data Project and TRAC Immigration Quick Facts. Community support and legal referrals are available through the New York Immigration Coalition.

Quick facts summary

• 4x increase in ICE arrests in New York City and Buffalo during June–July 2025 vs. same period in 2024.
• 70% of people arrested in New York during the surge had no criminal history.
• 61,226 people in ICE detention nationwide (Aug 24); 70.3% without criminal convictions.
• 48,711 removal orders and 6,226 voluntary departures issued in July across U.S. immigration courts.
• 24 weekday arrests on average at 26 Federal Plaza in June and July.

Researchers and legal experts continue to monitor whether rising arrests in New York City will translate into higher removal totals in the fall. With ICE expanding tracking and detention and the administration planning further deportation scaling, most observers expect the current trend to continue.

In a policy moment where non‑criminal arrests now dominate, preparation can be the difference between a day at a courthouse and a bus ride to a detention center. Seek legal guidance early and keep emergency plans and attorney contacts accessible.