ICE Data Shows Rise in Arrests of Immigrants Without Criminal Records

Key Takeaways

• As of February 9, 2025, 41,169 individuals were detained by ICE, marking the highest number since the Biden administration began.
• From January 12 to February 9, 2025, ICE detention of non-criminal immigrants grew 3.2 times, reaching 14% of detainees.
• Fiscal Year 2024 saw 28% of ICE arrests targeting individuals with no criminal backgrounds, contradicting stated priorities of focusing on convictions.

Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data shows a notable shift in immigration enforcement practices under the current administration. Despite official statements emphasizing a focus on targeting individuals with criminal backgrounds, the latest numbers indicate that enforcement actions are increasingly detaining immigrants without criminal histories. This change in priorities has impacted immigrant communities, raised questions about resource allocation, and underscored discrepancies between public statements and enforcement realities.

As of February 9, 2025, the number of individuals detained by ICE reached 41,169, the highest figure since the Biden administration took office. It also marked the first time ICE detention numbers exceeded 40,000 since the pandemic. This sharp increase is entirely tied to ICE arrests. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bookings dropped by 2,491 during this period, ICE bookings surged by 4,422. This uptick represents the largest two-week growth in ICE detentions since early 2021, illustrating a quick ramp-up in interior enforcement.

ICE Data Shows Rise in Arrests of Immigrants Without Criminal Records

Interestingly, this surge in detentions has not aligned with public statements prioritizing arrests of individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. Between January 12 and February 9, 2025, the number of immigrants with criminal convictions in detention increased modestly, from approximately 9,300 to 10,500—a rise of about 1,200 individuals. However, the group that experienced the most substantial growth during this period consisted of immigrants without criminal histories. In this category, the detained population rose by nearly 2,000 individuals in just over two weeks. By February 9, 2025, those without criminal histories accounted for 14% of ICE’s detained population, up from 6% on January 12.

Analysis also shows that the relative growth rate among different groups further emphasizes this trend. Immigrants with convictions saw a growth rate of 1.2 times their starting population, while non-criminal immigrants experienced a growth rate of 3.2 times. These numbers highlight a growing focus on detaining individuals without prior convictions, contradicting the administration’s more publicized priorities.

ICE’s official Fiscal Year 2024 data provides additional context for these developments. According to the annual report, 113,431 arrests were made by ICE during this period, with 81,312 of those arrested having criminal convictions or pending charges. This group made up 71.7% of all arrests, up from 43% in Fiscal Year 2023 when 170,590 noncitizens were arrested, but only 73,822 had criminal backgrounds. ICE also reported that these individuals with histories of criminal behavior faced a combined 516,050 charges and convictions for various offenses, including 57,081 assaults, 18,579 sex crimes, and 2,894 homicides.

While these figures might suggest an increase in enforcement focused on individuals with criminal convictions, independent analysis tells a more complex story. According to ABC News, during Fiscal Year 2024 only 51% of those arrested by ICE had confirmed criminal convictions. An additional 21% had pending charges but had not been convicted. This means that at least 28% of those arrested during this period had no criminal backgrounds at all, highlighting that a significant portion of ICE arrests go beyond the administration’s stated priority of targeting dangerous individuals.

The lack of transparency and real-time data reporting has contributed to confusion about enforcement priorities. Details shared with NBC News show that as of January 26, 2025, only 52% of arrests on that day were categorized as “criminal arrests,” meaning they involved individuals with prior convictions or pending charges. The remaining 48% involved individuals with no documented crimes beyond immigration violations, such as residing in the U.S. without legal authorization, or nonviolent offenses.

In addition to highlighting enforcement patterns, recent figures on arrests and detention rates provide insight into the scale of ICE’s operations. Between January 22 and January 31, 2025, ICE arrested a daily average of 828 people and issued an average of 658 detainers per day. These numbers are markedly higher than the daily arrest average of 310 recorded during the previous fiscal year. This intensification of operations is driving debates about enforcement efficiency and community impact.

A broader issue tied to these developments is the strain placed on ICE’s resources, particularly when it comes to managing non-criminal immigrants. Detentions of non-criminal immigrants have grown significantly in recent months, raising concerns about the long-term effects on families and detention centers. Increased arrests of this demographic may also risk diverting resources away from addressing public safety threats posed by those guilty of severe crimes. By the end of Fiscal Year 2024, ICE reported that its non-detained docket—which includes individuals under supervision instead of detention—had expanded to 7.6 million noncitizens. This marks a sharp 24.6% rise compared to the previous fiscal year and could complicate efforts to streamline enforcement actions.

This surge in arrests and detentions also underlines how challenging comprehensive immigration enforcement can be. As of 2022, it is estimated that 11 million undocumented immigrants reside in the United States 🇺🇸. Based on the current pace of operations, it would take over 17 years to arrest and detain every undocumented person, assuming consistent rates. This figure underscores the logistical challenges of large-scale enforcement as well as the potential merits of more targeted or strategic approaches.

The disconnect between official goals and actual enforcement practices has sparked calls for reevaluation. On one hand, prioritizing arrests of those with criminal backgrounds aligns with concerns about public safety. On the other hand, the recent detention surge among non-criminal immigrants raises questions about fairness, impact on families, and whether ICE resources are being used effectively. This dynamic has led immigrant advocacy groups to question the administration’s broader policy direction, arguing that the growing focus on non-criminal immigrants contradicts promises to focus on individuals who pose genuine risks.

At the same time, these practices carry implications for government transparency. The discrepancies between official ICE reports and independent analyses highlight the value of clearer public data. For example, VisaVerge.com has pointed out that ICE’s shift toward arresting more individuals without criminal records could shape public perceptions of the administration’s immigration policy and law enforcement ethics.

Looking ahead, it is uncertain how enforcement patterns will evolve. Pressure is mounting for ICE to adjust its focus in light of the data and return to a system focused predominantly on individuals with serious criminal histories. Additionally, advocacy groups and analysts are likely to push for more detailed, real-time data reporting to accurately track enforcement trends and assess their impacts.

In conclusion, the latest ICE data portrays a notable shift in enforcement priorities, with an increasing share of arrests targeting non-criminal immigrants. Despite efforts to position policy as centered on public safety, the numbers indicate a reality that diverges from official goals. As the administration continues its immigration efforts, balancing operational needs, transparency, and ethical concerns will remain key to shaping effective, fair policies. For real-time updates and direct access to ICE’s latest reports, visit ICE’s official website at https://www.ice.gov.

Learn Today

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, managing detention, and addressing public safety related to immigration.
Detainer → Official ICE request to local law enforcement to hold an individual suspected of violating immigration laws.
Noncriminal Immigrant → Individuals without criminal convictions or pending charges, detained or supervised for immigration violations (e.g., unauthorized presence).
Fiscal Year (FY) → A 12-month period used for government budgeting and reporting, often beginning on October 1 and ending September 30.
Non-detained Docket → A supervision system for immigrants not held in detention, often monitored through check-ins or electronic tracking.

This Article in a Nutshell

ICE’s recent data reveals a growing focus on detaining immigrants without criminal records, contrasting stated priorities of targeting dangerous individuals. Non-criminal detentions rose sharply, now comprising 14% of detainees. This shift fuels debates about fairness, resource allocation, and public safety, highlighting a significant gap between policy promises and enforcement realities.
— By VisaVerge.com