Did 2025 ICE Raids Target Only Criminal Undocumented Immigrants?

Key Takeaways

• ICE raids increased sharply in 2025 across Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City.
• Sensitive location protections ended January 21, allowing raids in schools, churches, and hospitals.
• 66,463 arrested and 65,682 deported in first 100 days; many without criminal records affected.

Since January 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 has seen a sharp increase in ICE raids, with operations expanding into cities like Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City. This surge follows new executive orders from President Trump at the start of his second term. These orders called for mass deportations and removed previous limits on where ICE could operate, including sensitive locations such as schools, churches, and hospitals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quickly followed up, with Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman issuing a directive on January 21, 2025, that officially ended the Biden-era policy protecting certain locations from enforcement actions.

Who is being targeted by these ICE raids? While the public message from the Trump administration is that ICE is focused on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, the reality is more complicated. According to recent statistics and reports, a much broader group is being affected, including undocumented immigrants without criminal histories and even some U.S. citizens and legal residents.

ICE Raids in 2025: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

Who: ICE agents, under the direction of President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, are carrying out these raids. The stated focus is on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, but many others are being swept up.

What: Large-scale enforcement actions, including arrests, detentions, and removals of undocumented immigrants. These actions now include raids in sensitive locations and public spaces.

Where: Major cities across the United States 🇺🇸, including Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City. Raids are also happening in workplaces, schools, hospitals, churches, and transportation hubs.

When: The intensified operations began in January 2025 and have continued through the first half of the year, with no signs of slowing down.

Why: The Trump administration has shifted policy to prioritize mass deportations and broaden the scope of enforcement, removing previous restrictions and setting arrest quotas for ICE officers.

How: ICE uses surveillance, informants, and audits (such as checking I-9 forms) to identify targets. Raids are often coordinated with local law enforcement and carried out in early morning hours. All individuals present at a location may be questioned, and those unable to provide valid documentation are detained.

Key Numbers: Arrests, Removals, and Detentions

• 66,463 undocumented immigrants arrested in the first 100 days of 2025
• 65,682 removals (deportations) in the same period
• 32,809 enforcement arrests in the first 50 days, surpassing the total at-large arrests for all of fiscal year 2024
• Of these, 14,111 were convicted criminals, and 9,980 had pending criminal charges
• 1,155 criminal gang members and 39 known or suspected terrorists were among those arrested in the first 50 days
• As of February 9, 2025, 41,169 individuals were detained by ICE, up 3.7% from the end of the Biden administration

These numbers show that while a majority of those arrested had criminal records, a significant portion did not. Reports from advocacy groups and independent data sources confirm that many undocumented immigrants without criminal histories have been caught up in these operations.

Policy Changes: Sensitive Locations and Broader Enforcement

One of the most important changes in 2025 is the removal of protections for sensitive locations. Under the previous administration, ICE was generally not allowed to conduct enforcement actions in places like schools, hospitals, and churches. This policy was meant to protect families, children, and vulnerable individuals from being detained in places where they seek care, education, or spiritual support.

Now, with the new directive from DHS, these protections are gone. ICE agents can and do conduct raids in these locations. This has led to:

• Increased risk of family separations, as parents may be detained while dropping off children at school or seeking medical care
• Greater fear and anxiety in immigrant communities, with some families avoiding essential services out of concern for their safety
• Reports of wrongful detentions, including U.S. citizens and legal residents being questioned or held during raids

The Trump administration has also set arrest quotas for ICE officers, pushing for higher numbers of arrests and removals. This has led to broader sweeps and more “collateral arrests”—when individuals who are not the original targets of a raid are detained simply because they are present at the location.

How ICE Raids Are Conducted: Step-by-Step

1. Intelligence Gathering: ICE uses surveillance, informants, and audits of employment records (such as I-9 forms) to identify potential targets. The I-9 form is a document employers must use to verify the identity and work authorization of their employees. You can find the official I-9 form here.
   2. Coordination with Local Law Enforcement: ICE often works with local police to share information and plan joint operations, increasing the reach and impact of raids.
   3. Execution of Raids: Agents typically conduct raids early in the morning at workplaces, homes, public spaces, and now, sensitive locations.
2. Screening and Detention: Everyone present may be questioned. Those who cannot provide valid immigration documents are detained.
3. Humanitarian Screening: ICE guidelines require agents to check for humanitarian concerns, such as whether someone is the sole caregiver for a child or has a serious medical condition. However, reports suggest this screening is not always done consistently.

Impact on Different Groups

Undocumented Immigrants with Criminal Records

• Stated Policy: Primary focus of enforcement
• Actual Impact: Majority of arrests, but not exclusive

Undocumented Immigrants without Criminal Records

• Stated Policy: Not a focus
• Actual Impact: Significant numbers detained and deported as collateral arrests

U.S. Citizens and Legal Residents

• Stated Policy: Not targeted
• Actual Impact: Some wrongful detentions and questioning during raids

Individuals in Sensitive Locations

• Stated Policy: Previously protected
• Actual Impact: Now subject to raids, leading to increased fear and disruption

Summary Table: Who Is Impacted by ICE Raids in 2025?

Stakeholder Perspectives

Government Officials

President Trump has described these actions as the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history. He and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem argue that the goal is to “make America SAFE again,” highlighting the removal of gang members and suspected terrorists. ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons has stated that three-quarters of those arrested were “criminal aliens,” but also acknowledged that all available enforcement tools are being used.

Civil Rights and Advocacy Groups

Groups that support immigrants and civil rights have strongly criticized the expanded raids. They warn that the new policies are leading to:

• Family separations
• Wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens and legal residents
• Increased fear and anxiety in immigrant communities
• Disruption of access to schools, healthcare, and places of worship

These groups are preparing legal challenges, especially against raids in sensitive locations and cases of mistaken detention.

Independent Data Analysis

Independent organizations, such as the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), have found that while the Trump administration’s rhetoric about enforcement has increased, the actual rise in arrests and removals is more modest. The number of people ICE can detain is limited by available space, and daily deportations have actually declined slightly compared to the previous year.

Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?

For many years, U.S. immigration enforcement focused on removing individuals with serious criminal records or those who had recently crossed the border. Policies under previous administrations, including President Biden, set clear priorities and protected sensitive locations from enforcement actions.

In 2025, President Trump’s new directives removed many of these priorities. Now, nearly all undocumented immigrants are at risk of arrest and deportation, regardless of their criminal history or ties to the community. The removal of sensitive location protections marks a major shift, allowing ICE to operate in places that were once considered off-limits.

Over the past three decades, U.S. immigration enforcement has become more strict and technologically advanced. This has made it easier for ICE to find and detain people, but it has also led to concerns about fairness, racial profiling, and the impact on families and communities.

Practical Effects and Real-Life Examples

The expanded ICE raids have had real and sometimes harsh effects on people’s lives:

• Families separated: Parents have been detained while dropping off children at school or seeking medical care.
• Workplaces disrupted: Raids at factories, restaurants, and construction sites have led to mass detentions, with some legal workers and even U.S. citizens caught up in the sweeps.
• Community fear: Many immigrants now avoid public spaces, schools, and hospitals out of fear of being detained.
• Wrongful detentions: There have been reports of U.S. citizens and legal residents being detained by mistake, sometimes for days, before their status is confirmed.

Advocacy groups say these effects go beyond the stated goal of removing criminals and instead create a climate of fear and uncertainty for millions of people.

What Should Immigrants and Their Families Do?

If you or someone you know may be affected by ICE raids, it is important to:

• Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. You do not have to open your door to ICE unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
• Have a plan: Families should make emergency plans, including who will care for children if a parent is detained.
• Seek legal help: Contact local legal aid organizations or national groups such as the American Immigration Council for advice and support.
• Stay informed: Check official sources for updates on policies and enforcement actions. The ICE official website provides statistics and policy updates.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for ICE Raids and Immigration Enforcement?

With quotas in place and sensitive location protections removed, ICE operations are expected to continue expanding in the coming months. More raids and broader targeting are likely, especially as the Trump administration pushes for higher arrest and removal numbers.

Civil rights groups are preparing legal challenges, focusing on the legality of raids in sensitive locations and the rights of those wrongfully detained. At the same time, some members of Congress are calling for hearings and increased oversight of ICE practices, especially regarding due process and humanitarian concerns.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that while the Trump administration’s policies have led to more aggressive enforcement, the practical limits of detention space and legal challenges may slow the pace of removals. Still, the fear and disruption caused by these policies are already being felt in communities across the United States 🇺🇸.

Conclusion: A Broader Impact Than Stated

While President Trump and ICE officials say their focus is on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, the facts show that a much broader group is being affected by the expanded raids and enforcement tactics of 2025. The removal of protections for sensitive locations, the use of arrest quotas, and the broadening of enforcement priorities have led to widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities. Many undocumented immigrants without criminal histories, as well as some U.S. citizens and legal residents, have been caught up in these operations.

For those at risk, it is more important than ever to know your rights, seek legal help, and stay informed about changing policies. For policymakers and advocates, the challenge will be to balance public safety with fairness, due process, and the protection of families and communities.

For more information on ICE statistics and enforcement actions, visit the official ICE statistics page.

Key Takeaways:

• ICE raids in 2025 are broader and more aggressive than in previous years, affecting not just those with criminal records but also many without.
• Sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and churches are no longer protected from enforcement actions.
• Families, legal residents, and even U.S. citizens have been caught up in the expanded raids.
• Knowing your rights and seeking legal help is essential for those who may be affected.
• The debate over immigration enforcement is likely to continue, with legal and political challenges ahead.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws nationwide including raids and deportations.
Sensitive locations → Places like schools, hospitals, and churches previously protected from ICE enforcement actions.
I-9 form → Document verifying employee identity and work authorization required by employers in the U.S.
Enforcement quotas → Targets set for ICE officers to increase arrest and deportation numbers.
Collateral arrests → Detentions of individuals not originally targeted but present during ICE raids.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, expanded ICE raids target undocumented immigrants beyond criminals, including sensitive sites like schools. Tens of thousands arrested or deported, raising community fears. The new policy removes protections, increases arrests, and affects U.S. citizens. Knowing rights and legal support is vital amid heightened immigration enforcement nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com