23 Days: ICE Doubles Alaska Arrest Rate Through June 2025 vs 2024

(ALASKA) ICE has more than doubled arrests in Alaska in 2025, with 33 people taken into custody and 23 deportations or scheduled deportations through June 26. The jump follows an April policy shift that tripled ICE’s daily arrest quota.

Officials say the higher pace will continue unless Washington changes course. Immigrant families and service providers report growing fear and confusion, especially as more arrests involve people with no criminal record.

What changed and why it matters

In April 2025, the administration raised the nationwide arrest quota from 1,000 to 3,000 per day. ICE applies this target across regions, including Alaska.

While leaders say they focus on public safety, recent data shows a growing number of arrests involve people with only civil immigration issues (for example, visa overstays). Alaska still has a small number of total arrests compared with other states, but the rate per 100,000 residents has risen rapidly this year.

Key numbers for 2025

• 33 ICE arrests in Alaska from January 20 to June 26.
• 23 deportations or scheduled deportations in the same period.
• Nationwide: arrests rose about 120% in the first five months of 2025 versus 2024 (49,000 → 109,000).
• In Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, noncriminal arrests made up 53% of daily arrests in June, up from 28% in April.

Voices from the field

• DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: some people without U.S. criminal records could still pose risks — possible ties to terrorism, human rights abuses, or gangs. She argues the broader net protects public safety.
• Malou Chávez, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: the quota pressures agents to pick up people with no criminal background, spreading fear among longtime residents, mixed-status families, and even green card holders who worry about missteps.

“Some ‘non-criminals’ may be risks we can’t ignore,” McLaughlin said.

“Quotas push officers to take people with no criminal history,” Chávez countered.

How ICE arrests happen now

• ICE conducts targeted arrests of specific people with prior removal orders or pending cases.
• Agents also carry out at-large arrests in homes, workplaces, or public spaces.
• Local police cooperation shapes operations:
  • Where local agencies limit cooperation, ICE spends more time on at-large actions, which can affect bystanders with pending civil cases or old paperwork issues.
• After arrest, people are processed and either detained or released with a date to see an immigration judge.
• Some face expedited removal if they lack defenses or legal help.

Who is at risk

• People with final removal orders who never left.
• Visa overstayers — students, workers, or visitors who stayed beyond authorized time.
• People who missed court and now have in-absentia removal orders.
• Lawful permanent residents with old criminal cases that trigger immigration consequences.

What to do if ICE arrests a loved one

1. Ask for the person’s full name, country of birth, and “A-Number” (immigration case number) if known.
2. Call a trusted attorney or a local legal aid group. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project serves Alaska and the broader region.
3. Check custody status using ICE’s online detainee locator on the official website.
4. Contact the ICE Seattle Field Office, which covers Alaska, for case questions.
5. Do not sign any paperwork you don’t understand. Request a copy and ask to speak with a lawyer.
6. If placed in removal, many will receive a Notice to Appear. Keep it safe and show it to your lawyer.

Why the increase feels different in Alaska

Alaska historically had one of the lowest ICE arrest totals because of a smaller immigrant population and limited local cooperation with federal agents.

The 2025 quota change pushed a faster pace even in low-volume states. As a result, Alaska’s arrest rate per resident climbed, even though raw numbers remain relatively small.

Legal process basics

• Removal proceedings are civil, not criminal — there is no free public defender.
• People must hire a lawyer or seek nonprofit help.
• Possible forms of relief (if eligible):
  • Asylum
  • Withholding of removal
  • Protection under the Convention Against Torture
  • Cancellation of removal
  • Adjustment of status
  • Temporary Protected Status (strict eligibility rules)
• Routine filings with USCIS (work permits, green cards, family petitions) continue even as enforcement rises.

Practical steps for families today

• Make a family plan. Keep copies of passports, I-94 records, visas, work permits, and court papers in one folder. Share access with a trusted person.
• If you have a past removal order or missed a hearing, talk to a lawyer about motions to reopen.
• Keep your address updated with immigration courts. Missing mailed notices can lead to in-absentia orders.
• Know your rights at the door: you don’t have to open unless agents show a judge-signed warrant with your name and address.

Community effects and public services

• Advocates report people skipping medical appointments, school meetings, and police reports out of fear.
• Reduced trust makes it harder to respond to emergencies and maintain neighborhood safety.

What experts say about arrest patterns

• Analysts at the Migration Policy Institute: the surge stems from policy choices, not a sudden jump in crime or unauthorized population.
• Data groups like the UC Berkeley Deportation Data Project point to the quota change as the main driver behind increased noncriminal arrests.
• VisaVerge.com: enforcement swings often follow federal directives, and local cooperation levels shape where ICE can move fastest.

Finding official information

• For trusted, up-to-date policy and rights information, see the Department of Homeland Security’s official page on ICE enforcement and removal operations: dhs.gov. It explains arrest priorities, detention, and removals, and links to office contacts.
• If you receive court papers, review them quickly. Court hearings are set through the immigration court system, not by ICE.
• To check an immigration court hearing date and location, use the official EOIR automated line or online portal.

A final note on forms and records

• Keep rental receipts, pay stubs, school records, and medical files — these can help show ties to your community if you seek relief.
• If you need to update personal details with immigration agencies, use the official agency websites to avoid scams.

Actionable takeaways for Alaska residents

• Expect continued ICE activity. Plan ahead with documents, legal contacts, and a power of attorney for child care if needed.
• If picked up, don’t sign forms you don’t understand. Ask for a lawyer and a copy of all papers.
• Stay informed through official DHS channels and local legal aid groups. These steps won’t stop arrests, but they can reduce panic, protect rights, and improve outcomes during deportations and appeals.