Key Takeaways
• As of March 9, 2025, ICE detains 46,269 people, the highest number since October 2019.
• Expedited removal now applies nationwide to those without two years’ continuous U.S. residence.
• Nearly half of detainees have no criminal record; arrests occur near courts, workplaces, and homes.
A mother who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for 24 years was recently detained by ICE at an immigration court, highlighting a sharp rise in immigration enforcement and detention across the country. This case is not unique. As of March 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 is seeing the highest number of people held in immigration detention in over five years, with new policies putting even long-term residents at risk of rapid deportation. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what families and individuals need to know.
Surge in ICE Detentions and Changing Enforcement
Who is being detained?
ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is now detaining 46,269 people as of March 9, 2025. This is the highest number since October 2019, and the number is growing by about 400 people each day. What’s different now is that most of these arrests are not happening at the border. Instead, ICE is focusing on people already living in the United States 🇺🇸, including those with deep family and community ties.
Where are these arrests happening?
Many arrests are taking place at or near immigration courts, workplaces, and even people’s homes. Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups report a big increase in ICE arrests at immigration courts, targeting people who may have lived in the country for decades.
Why is this happening now?
Recent policy changes, including new laws and executive orders, have expanded ICE’s authority. The Laken Riley Act and new executive orders now require ICE to detain people for a wider range of offenses, even for minor things like shoplifting. This means that many people who would not have been detained before are now at risk.
Expedited Removal: Fast-Track Deportation Nationwide
What is expedited removal?
Expedited removal is a process that allows ICE to deport certain people quickly, without a hearing before an immigration judge. Before 2025, this process was mostly used near the border and for people who had just arrived in the country. Now, it can be used anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸.
Who is affected?
Anyone who cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years can be placed in expedited removal. This means they can be deported very quickly, unless they tell ICE they are afraid to return to their home country and pass a “credible fear interview.” If they do not pass this interview, they can be removed without ever seeing an immigration judge.
How does this impact families?
Many people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years, including parents and caregivers, are now at risk of being separated from their families. This has caused widespread fear in communities, especially among mixed-status families where some members are citizens and others are not.
Key Numbers: Who Is in Detention?
- Total ICE detainees: 46,269 as of March 9, 2025
- No criminal record: 49.9% (23,081 people) have no criminal record; many others have only minor offenses
- ICE Alternatives to Detention (ATD): 183,784 individuals and families are being monitored through programs like ankle monitors or regular check-ins
- Top detention facility: Adams County Detention Center in Natchez, Mississippi holds the most detainees, averaging 2,153 daily
- Recent arrests: In February 2025, ICE arrested 17,375 people, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested 4,238
These numbers show that nearly half of those detained by ICE have no criminal record at all, and many others are being held for minor infractions.
How the New Policies Work
1. Arrest and Detention
ICE can arrest people at home, at work, or at immigration court. This is happening more often, even to people with no criminal record or only minor offenses. If someone has a pending immigration case or a prior removal order, they are especially at risk.
2. Expedited Removal Screening
If a person cannot show proof that they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years, ICE may start expedited removal. This means they can be deported quickly, without a hearing, unless they express fear of returning to their home country.
3. Credible Fear Interview
If the person says they are afraid to return to their home country, they may get a credible fear interview. This is a meeting with an asylum officer to see if they might qualify for asylum. If they pass, they may get a chance to see an immigration judge.
4. Immigration Court Proceedings
If someone is not placed in expedited removal, they may go before an immigration judge. Missing a court hearing can result in an automatic removal order, so it is very important to attend all hearings.
5. Request for Discretion
People in detention can ask ICE to use discretion and let them go, especially if they have strong family ties, health problems, or have contributed to their community. They need to provide evidence, like letters from family, proof of medical conditions, or records of community service.
6. Alternatives to Detention
Some people may be released under programs like ankle monitors or regular check-ins, but this is not guaranteed. ICE decides who qualifies for these programs.
For more information on the ICE Detainee Locator and official procedures, visit the ICE Detainee Locator System.
Legal and Community Responses
Legal experts warn that the expanded use of expedited removal and mandatory detention takes away important rights, like the chance to see a judge or explain special circumstances. Many say these policies hurt families and long-term residents the most.
Advocacy groups like the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) are fighting these changes in court. They provide “know your rights” resources and encourage people to seek legal help right away.
Government officials say these policies are needed for public safety and to enforce immigration laws. They argue that stronger enforcement will discourage people from living in the country without permission.
Federal courts have sometimes stepped in. In some high-profile cases, judges have ordered people released from detention, saying their rights were violated.
Impact on Families and Communities
The new policies have real effects on families and communities across the United States 🇺🇸:
- Family separation: Parents, caregivers, and long-term residents are being detained and sometimes deported, leaving children and families behind.
- Fear and uncertainty: Many people are afraid to go to immigration court, work, or even leave their homes, worried they might be arrested by ICE.
- Due process concerns: Expedited removal means many people never get to explain their situation to a judge, even if they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years.
- Sanctuary policy erosion: Some states and cities have tried to protect undocumented residents, but federal lawsuits are making it harder for local governments to offer protection.
What Should Detained Individuals and Families Do?
If you or a loved one is detained by ICE, here are steps to take:
- Contact a lawyer immediately. Legal help is critical. Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services.
- Gather evidence of your time in the United States 🇺🇸. This can include rent receipts, school records, medical bills, pay stubs, or anything that shows you have lived in the country for at least two years.
- Prepare for a credible fear interview. If you fear returning to your home country, tell ICE officers right away and ask for a credible fear interview.
- Attend all immigration court hearings. Missing a hearing can result in a removal order.
- Submit evidence for discretionary relief. Show ICE or the court why you should be allowed to stay, such as family ties, health problems, or community involvement.
- Check if you qualify for alternatives to detention. Ask your lawyer if you can be released under supervision instead of staying in detention.
For more detailed guidance, the USCIS “Keeping Families Together” FAQ provides helpful information on discretionary relief and evidence submission.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
Before 2025, expedited removal was mostly used near the border and for people who had just arrived in the United States 🇺🇸. People who had lived in the country for more than two weeks, or who were picked up far from the border, usually had the right to see an immigration judge.
In 2025, new executive orders and laws changed this. Now, expedited removal can be used anywhere in the country, and ICE has more power to detain people for a wider range of offenses. Detention centers have expanded, and even Guantánamo Bay is being used for immigration detention.
Sanctuary cities and states, which tried to protect undocumented residents, are facing lawsuits from the federal government. This has made it harder for local governments to shield people from ICE enforcement.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Legal challenges to these new policies are ongoing. Advocacy groups and some state governments argue that expanded expedited removal and mandatory detention violate constitutional rights. Courts have sometimes agreed, but the policies remain in place for now.
Congress is considering new laws that could make detention even more common and limit who can apply for asylum. Humanitarian programs for people from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are ending or being shortened, which may put more people at risk.
ICE is expected to keep up or even increase current enforcement levels, focusing on arrests inside the United States 🇺🇸 and using expedited removal more often.
Practical Guidance for At-Risk Individuals
- Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. Do not sign anything you do not understand.
- Keep important documents handy: Proof of your time in the United States 🇺🇸, family ties, and community involvement can help your case.
- Stay informed: Policies are changing quickly. Check reliable sources like the American Immigration Lawyers Association for updates.
- Seek support: Community organizations, legal aid groups, and advocacy organizations can offer help and advice.
Multiple Perspectives: What Are People Saying?
Legal experts say the new rules make it too easy for ICE to detain and deport people without giving them a fair chance to explain their situation. They worry this will lead to wrongful deportations and harm families.
Advocacy groups argue that the policies cause fear and family separation, especially for people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years and have no criminal record.
Government officials defend the changes, saying they are needed to enforce immigration laws and keep the country safe.
Federal judges have sometimes blocked ICE from detaining or deporting people in certain cases, especially when constitutional rights are at stake.
Conclusion: What You Can Do Now
The sharp increase in ICE detentions and the expanded use of expedited removal mean that even long-term residents with deep ties to the United States 🇺🇸 are at risk of detention and deportation. Family separation, fear, and uncertainty are growing in many communities.
If you or someone you know is affected, it is important to:
- Seek legal help immediately
- Gather proof of your time in the United States 🇺🇸
- Know your rights and stay informed about policy changes
- Connect with community organizations for support
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes have made the immigration system more difficult for many families, but knowing your rights and acting quickly can make a difference.
For official information on ICE detention and removal procedures, visit the ICE Detainee Locator System.
Staying informed, prepared, and connected to legal and community resources is the best way to protect yourself and your family during these challenging times.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws, responsible for detaining and deporting unauthorized immigrants nationwide.
Expedited Removal → A process allowing fast deportation without a hearing for those lacking two years’ U.S. residence.
Credible Fear Interview → Screening to determine if detainees fearing return qualify for asylum or protection.
Alternatives to Detention → Programs allowing supervised release like ankle monitors instead of full detention.
Mandatory Detention → Policy requiring detention of certain immigrants without the option for bond or release.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE detentions surged to 46,269 by March 2025, targeting long-term residents nationwide with expedited removal. Nearly half lack criminal records, raising community fears. New policies increase rapid deportations without immigration judge hearings, impacting families deeply. Legal aid is critical to protect rights amid these strict enforcement changes.
— By VisaVerge.com
