Key Takeaways
• As of June 2025, ICE detains about 59,000 people nationwide, a 50% increase since Biden’s administration.
• In June 2025, 59% of ICE arrests involved people without criminal convictions, raising wrongful detention concerns.
• Expedited removal expanded nationwide in January 2025, enabling rapid deportations without hearings anywhere in the U.S.
As of June 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 is experiencing a dramatic shift in immigration enforcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is detaining about 59,000 people nationwide—a record high that has sparked concern among immigrants, legal residents, and even U.S. citizens. This surge, driven by aggressive interior enforcement and mass arrest operations, marks a sharp departure from previous years. The expansion of expedited removal policies and the increased arrest of noncriminals have led to documented cases of American citizens being wrongfully detained. These developments are raising urgent questions about safety, due process, and the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
Record-High Detention Numbers and Changing Enforcement Priorities
ICE, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws inside the United States 🇺🇸, is now detaining more people than ever before. As of June 24, 2025, the number of detainees reached approximately 59,000, up from about 39,000 at the end of the Biden administration. This 50% increase is not due to more people crossing the border. In fact, border apprehensions have dropped to historic lows. Instead, the rise comes from a surge in interior enforcement—meaning ICE is arresting people already living in the country.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, ICE is now arresting over 6,000 immigrants without criminal convictions every week. In June 2025, 59% of ICE arrests were of people with no criminal convictions, and nearly half of all current detainees have no criminal record at all. Most convictions among detainees are for immigration, traffic, or nonviolent vice crimes, not violent offenses.
Austin Kocher, a researcher at Syracuse University, notes that these detention numbers are unprecedented and the highest in U.S. history. The agency is arresting about 1,200 people per day, with daily arrests sometimes surpassing 2,000—nearly double the daily average from earlier in the year.
High-Profile Raids and Public Response
ICE’s increased activity is visible in communities across the country. The agency has carried out high-profile workplace raids and street arrests, leading to large protests and, in some cases, violent confrontations. President Trump has responded by deploying National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to protect federal property and ICE officers during these operations.
On June 24, 2025, ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals and a U.S. citizen in a targeted operation. This action highlights the agency’s focus on national security threats and individuals with alleged terrorist ties. However, the vast majority of those detained have no such connections.
Expanded Expedited Removal: What It Means
One of the most significant policy changes is the expansion of expedited removal. Expedited removal is a process that allows ICE to quickly deport people who cannot prove they have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than two years. Before 2025, this policy was mostly used for people caught near the border or shortly after entering the country. Now, under a Federal Register Notice issued on January 21, 2025, and new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance, ICE can use expedited removal anywhere in the country.
This means that anyone who cannot immediately show proof of two years’ continuous presence in the United States 🇺🇸—including U.S. citizens and legal residents—can be detained and possibly deported without a hearing. The speed and secrecy of this process often limit access to legal help and make it hard for people to challenge their detention.
Third-Country Removals and DNA Testing
ICE has also increased the use of third-country removals. This policy targets people who have been granted protection from deportation to their home country, such as those with withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). If these individuals have a removal order but cannot be sent back to their home country, ICE may try to send them to a third country instead. This raises concerns about due process and the risk of sending people to places where they may still face danger.
Additionally, the administration is pushing for criminal prosecution of civil immigration violations and using DNA testing to verify family relationships in cases involving minors.
The Risk of Wrongful Detention: U.S. Citizens and Legal Residents
The aggressive expansion of ICE enforcement has increased the risk of wrongful detentions, including of U.S. citizens. Because ICE agents often do not clearly identify themselves and may act on incomplete or inaccurate information, there have been documented cases of American citizens being mistakenly detained. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups warn that the current system puts everyone at risk, not just undocumented immigrants.
The expansion of expedited removal is especially troubling for people who may not have immediate access to documents proving their status or length of stay. This includes legal residents, visitors, and even U.S. citizens who may not carry proof of citizenship at all times.
Step-by-Step: What Happens If You Are Detained by ICE
For anyone worried about the possibility of being detained by ICE, it is important to understand the process and what steps to take:
- Initial Arrest: ICE agents can detain individuals suspected of immigration violations anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸, including during workplace raids, on the street, or at home.
- Detention and Processing: Detainees are taken to ICE facilities, where their immigration status is reviewed. If they cannot prove lawful status or two years’ continuous presence, they may be placed in expedited removal proceedings.
- Expedited Removal: Under the current policy, individuals unable to show two years’ continuous presence are subject to immediate deportation without a hearing, unless they can establish a credible fear of persecution or qualify for other relief.
- Third-Country Removal: Those with removal orders who cannot be sent back to their home country may be considered for removal to a third country, even if they have been granted protection under withholding of removal or CAT.
- Legal Recourse: Detainees may seek legal assistance, but the fast pace and secrecy of expedited removal often make it hard to get help or a fair hearing.
For information on individuals detained by ICE, families can use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System on the official ICE website.
Who Is Affected? Stakeholders and Their Concerns
Immigrants and Their Families
The most direct impact is on immigrants—both those without legal status and those with lawful status who may be caught up in enforcement actions. Families are often separated, and children may be left without parents or guardians. The fear of detention and deportation has led many to avoid public spaces, schools, and even hospitals.
U.S. Citizens and Legal Residents
Because of the expanded use of expedited removal and the risk of mistaken identity, U.S. citizens and legal residents are also at risk. There have been cases where citizens were detained for days or even weeks before proving their status. This has created fear and uncertainty, especially among people of color and those with foreign-sounding names.
Employers and Communities
Workplace raids have disrupted businesses and local economies. Employers may face penalties for hiring undocumented workers, and entire communities can be affected when large numbers of people are detained or deported. The increased enforcement has also led to a breakdown in trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Advocacy Groups and Legal Experts
Organizations like the ACLU and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) are challenging the expanded policies in court. They argue that the current system violates constitutional rights, increases the risk of wrongful detention, and undermines community safety.
Government Officials
DHS and ICE leaders defend the new policies as necessary for national security and public safety. They point to the removal of individuals with criminal records and alleged ties to terrorism. However, data show that most detainees have no such backgrounds.
Quantitative Snapshot: ICE Detention and Enforcement (June 2025)
- Total ICE detainees: ~59,000 (record high)
- Percentage with no criminal record: ~47% (current detainees)
- Percentage of book-ins with no convictions: 65% (since October 2024)
- Weekly noncriminal arrests: Over 6,000
- Daily average arrests: About 1,200 (up to 2,000 on some days)
- Expedited removal policy: Expanded nationwide (January 2025)
- Third-country removals: Increased (directive February 2025)
- Congressional bed allocation: 41,500 (actual use is over 140% of capacity)
Background: How Did We Get Here?
ICE’s enforcement priorities have changed dramatically over the past decade. Under the Obama and Biden administrations, the focus was on individuals with criminal convictions or recent border crossers. The first Trump administration shifted toward broader interior enforcement, but the current administration has taken these efforts even further.
The legal basis for expedited removal was created in 1996, but until 2025, it was used mainly for people caught near the border. The new policy allows ICE to use expedited removal anywhere in the country, making it much easier to detain and deport people quickly.
Policy Implications and Legal Challenges
The expanded enforcement has sparked widespread debate and legal challenges. The ACLU and other groups are fighting the new expedited removal policy in federal court, arguing that it violates constitutional and statutory protections. The outcome of these cases could shape the future of ICE’s enforcement powers.
At the same time, the Trump administration is seeking more funding and new laws to further expand detention capacity and speed up deportations. Some members of Congress and advocacy groups are calling for more oversight of ICE and reforms to prevent wrongful detentions, especially of U.S. citizens and legal residents.
What Should You Do If You or Someone You Know Is Detained?
- Stay Calm: Do not resist arrest. Ask to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
- Know Your Rights: You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Do not sign any documents you do not understand.
- Contact Family or Legal Help: Use the ICE Detainee Locator to find out where someone is being held.
- Gather Documents: If possible, collect documents that prove your status or length of stay in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Seek Legal Assistance: Contact organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) or local legal aid groups for help.
Official Resources
- ICE Official Website: Information on detention, enforcement, and the Detainee Locator System.
- DHS Official Website: Updates on immigration policy and enforcement.
- ACLU: Legal challenges and advocacy information.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): Resources for legal help.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for ICE and Immigration Enforcement?
The current environment is marked by record-high detentions, aggressive expansion of expedited removal, and a sharp increase in the arrest of noncriminals. These changes have sparked concern among civil liberties advocates, legal experts, and affected communities. The administration argues that these measures are needed for national security and public safety, but the data show that most detainees have no criminal background.
Ongoing legal challenges and possible changes in Congress will shape the future of ICE enforcement. Advocacy groups are pushing for reforms to protect the rights of immigrants, legal residents, and U.S. citizens. The coming months will be critical in determining how the United States 🇺🇸 balances security with fairness and due process.
For now, anyone living in the United States 🇺🇸—regardless of status—should be aware of their rights and prepared for the possibility of ICE enforcement actions. Staying informed and seeking legal help when needed are the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones in this uncertain time.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency enforcing immigration laws inside the U.S.
Expedited removal → A fast deportation process allowing removal without a hearing for those lacking proof of two-year presence.
Third-country removal → Deporting individuals to a country other than their home when return there is unsafe or impossible.
Withholding of removal → Protection allowing immigrants to avoid deportation to countries where they face persecution or torture.
Detainee locator → Online system to find detained immigrants’ locations and case information maintained by ICE.
This Article in a Nutshell
In June 2025, ICE holds a record 59,000 detainees, driven by expanded expedited removal and mass interior arrests, including many noncriminals, raising serious legal and civil rights concerns across the United States and prompting widespread protests.
— By VisaVerge.com
