Fewer Than Half of ICE Arrests Under Trump Involve Convicted Criminals

ICE arrests surged in 2025 under Trump, moving from mainly criminals to nearly half noncriminal immigrants. This broader enforcement disrupts families, raises legal costs, and fuels community fear. Understanding these changes is vital for affected individuals and advocates navigating evolving immigration enforcement.

VisaVerge.com
Key takeaways

Under Trump in 2025, ICE arrests rose from 1,000 to 3,000 daily, increasing noncriminal arrests to 45%.
ICE targets both criminals and noncriminals violating immigration law, with 75% arrests criminal early 2025.
Noncriminal arrests disrupt families and communities, raising concerns about wrongful detentions and trust in law enforcement.

When it comes to immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸, few topics spark as much debate as the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Under President Trump’s second term, ICE arrests have become a central focus, especially with changing policies and shifting priorities. One of the most important questions for immigrants, families, employers, and advocates is: Who is ICE targeting for arrest—people with criminal convictions, or a broader group including those without any criminal history?

To help readers make sense of these changes, this guide compares two main approaches to ICE arrests under President Trump: the focus on individuals with criminal convictions versus the broader sweep that includes many without criminal records. We’ll look at the requirements, timelines, and costs for each approach, weigh the pros and cons, and offer recommendations for different situations. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for understanding what these enforcement strategies mean for you or your community.

Fewer Than Half of ICE Arrests Under Trump Involve Convicted Criminals
Fewer Than Half of ICE Arrests Under Trump Involve Convicted Criminals

Comparing ICE Arrest Approaches: Criminal Convictions vs. Noncriminal Arrests

What Are the Two Main Approaches?

1. ICE Arrests Focused on Criminal Convictions
– This approach targets people who have been convicted of crimes or have pending criminal charges.
– The main goal is to remove individuals seen as threats to public safety or national security.

2. ICE Arrests Including Noncriminals
– This broader approach includes people who have no criminal convictions or charges.
– Many of these individuals may have only violated immigration laws, such as overstaying a visa or entering the country without permission.


Side-by-Side Analysis: Requirements, Timelines, and Costs

Who Gets Targeted?

FeatureCriminal Convictions ApproachNoncriminal Arrests Approach
Who is targeted?People with criminal convictions or pending chargesAnyone violating immigration laws, regardless of criminal history
Basis for arrestCriminal record, pending criminal chargesImmigration status violations (e.g., overstaying visa, unlawful entry)
Priority levelHigh (public safety, national security)Broader, including long-term residents and families
Typical locations for arrestJails, prisons, courtrooms, sometimes homesHomes, workplaces, public spaces, in coordination with local police

Timeline of Enforcement

  • Early 2025: ICE focused mainly on people with criminal convictions or charges. About 75% of arrests were in this group.
  • Spring–Summer 2025: After President Trump ordered ICE to triple its daily arrest quota from 1,000 to 3,000, the share of noncriminal arrests rose sharply. By June 2025, nearly 45% of ICE arrests were of people without criminal charges or convictions.

Costs and Resources

💡 Tip
If you or someone you know is at risk of ICE arrest, prepare by gathering important documents and having a legal plan in place. Knowing your rights can significantly help during an encounter with ICE.
  • For the Government:
    • Criminal Convictions Approach: Requires coordination with local law enforcement, background checks, and sometimes longer investigations.
    • Noncriminal Arrests Approach: Broader sweeps, more resources needed for processing, detention, and removal of larger numbers of people.
  • For Individuals:
    • Legal Costs: Both groups may face high legal fees for defense, bond hearings, and appeals.
    • Family and Community Impact: Noncriminal arrests often disrupt families and communities, especially when long-term residents or parents are detained.

Pros and Cons for Different Situations

ICE Arrests Focused on Criminal Convictions

Pros:
Public Safety: Targets individuals with proven criminal records, which can reduce crime and improve safety.
Clear Priorities: Easier for communities and law enforcement to understand who is at risk.
Less Community Disruption: Fewer families are separated when focus stays on those with criminal convictions.

Cons:
Limited Scope: May miss people who violate immigration laws but have no criminal record.
Resource Intensive: Requires close coordination with police, courts, and jails.

ICE Arrests Including Noncriminals

Pros:
Broader Enforcement: Allows ICE to remove anyone violating immigration laws, not just those with criminal convictions.
Meets Quotas: Helps ICE reach higher arrest numbers set by administration policies.
Deterrence: May discourage people from overstaying visas or entering unlawfully.

Cons:
Community Fear: Increases fear and instability in immigrant communities, even among those with deep roots and no criminal history.
Risk of Mistakes: Higher chance of detaining or deporting U.S. citizens or legal residents by mistake.
Family Separation: More families are split apart, including parents and children.
Public Trust: Can damage trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, making it harder to report crimes or cooperate with police.


Key Data and Official Statements

Arrest Numbers and Trends

  • First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term (Jan–Apr 2025):
    • 66,463 total ICE arrests
    • 75% were “criminal illegal aliens” (convictions or pending charges)
    • 2,288 gang members, 1,329 sex offenses, 498 murder charges
    • 65,682 removals (deportations)
    • 444 new 287(g) agreements with local law enforcement
  • June 2025:
    • 45% of ICE arrests were of people without criminal charges or convictions
    • On some days, noncriminal arrests made up 47% of daily ICE apprehensions
    • 930 daily arrests on average, with about 42% involving noncriminals

Official Views

  • President Trump: Continues to stress the removal of “criminal illegal aliens” as a top priority.
  • DHS Secretary Noem: Highlights deportations of terrorists, cartel members, and gang members.
  • ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons: Focuses on public safety and national security threats, citing record enforcement numbers.
  • DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: Insists that most arrests target criminals, despite rising noncriminal arrest numbers.

Expert and Advocacy Perspectives

  • Immigration Experts: Point out that ICE has the legal power to arrest anyone violating immigration laws, not just those with criminal convictions.
  • Advocacy Groups: Warn that the surge in noncriminal arrests is causing fear, instability, and wrongful detentions.
  • Academic Analysis: Notes a gap between official messaging (focus on criminals) and actual data (growing share of noncriminal arrests).

Enforcement Partnerships and Procedures

287(g) Agreements

  • ICE works with local police through 287(g) agreements, allowing local officers to help enforce immigration laws.
  • Since January 2025, 444 new 287(g) agreements have been signed, expanding ICE’s reach into more communities.

How ICE Arrests Happen

  • Criminal Convictions Approach: Often starts with local police or jails notifying ICE when someone with a criminal record is in custody.
  • Noncriminal Arrests Approach: Includes workplace raids, home visits, and street arrests, sometimes without any criminal charges.

Reporting and Complaints


Policy Implications and Community Impact

Broader Enforcement Net

  • The push for higher arrest quotas has led to a much wider net, catching many people with no criminal convictions.
  • Long-term residents, parents, and people with deep community ties are now at greater risk of arrest and deportation.

Community Concerns

⚠️ Important
Be cautious of the rising number of noncriminal arrests by ICE. Even individuals without criminal records can be targeted, leading to potential family separations and community fear.
  • Fear and Instability: Immigrant communities report increased fear, making people less likely to go to work, school, or even seek medical care.
  • Risk of Wrongful Detention: Mistakes can happen, leading to the detention or deportation of U.S. citizens or legal residents.
  • Legislative Response: New bills in Congress aim to stop ICE from detaining or deporting U.S. citizens, responding to reports of mistaken arrests.

Data Transparency

  • Advocacy groups and academic projects, such as UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project, are calling for more transparency and oversight of ICE operations.

Recommendations for Specific Circumstances

If You or a Loved One Has a Criminal Conviction

  • Be Prepared: Know your rights and have a plan in place if you are at risk of ICE arrest.
  • Legal Help: Seek advice from an immigration attorney, especially if you have a pending criminal case.
  • Check Status: Make sure you understand your immigration status and any risks you may face.

If You Have No Criminal Record

  • Stay Informed: Even without a criminal conviction, you may still be at risk under current enforcement policies.
  • Community Support: Connect with local advocacy groups for resources and support.
  • Know Your Rights: Learn what to do if ICE comes to your home or workplace.

For Employers and Community Leaders

  • Workplace Preparedness: Understand your rights and responsibilities if ICE conducts a raid or asks for information.
  • Support Networks: Help employees and community members access legal help and know their rights.

Decision-Making Framework

When considering how ICE’s changing arrest priorities might affect you, your family, or your community, use this simple framework:

  1. Assess Your Risk:
    • Do you have a criminal conviction or pending charges?
    • Are you out of status or have you violated immigration laws?
  2. Understand the Current Policy:
    • Under President Trump, ICE is arresting both people with criminal convictions and those without.
    • The share of noncriminal arrests has risen sharply in 2025.
  3. Prepare and Protect:
    • Know your rights during an ICE encounter.
    • Have important documents and emergency contacts ready.
    • Seek legal advice if you are unsure about your status.
  4. Stay Updated:

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

  • High Arrest Rates Will Continue: With current quotas and enforcement strategies, both criminal and noncriminal arrests are expected to remain high through 2025.
  • Legal and Policy Changes Possible: Ongoing lawsuits and new laws may change how ICE operates, especially regarding noncriminal arrests and wrongful detentions.
  • Transparency and Oversight: Advocacy groups will keep pushing for more data and independent checks on ICE’s work.

Final Thoughts

The shift in ICE arrests under President Trump—from mainly targeting people with criminal convictions to including a much larger group without criminal records—marks a major change in U.S. immigration enforcement. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this trend has real consequences for immigrants, families, and entire communities. Whether you are directly affected or simply want to understand what’s happening, it’s important to stay informed, know your rights, and seek help when needed.

For the most current information, official resources, and ways to report concerns, visit the ICE official website. By understanding the differences between these enforcement approaches, you can make better decisions and help protect yourself and your loved ones in these uncertain times.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws including arrests and deportations.
Criminal Conviction → A legal judgment that someone is guilty of a crime, often resulting in prioritization for ICE arrests.
287(g) Agreement → Partnerships allowing local police to enforce immigration laws alongside ICE under specific terms.
Noncriminal Arrest → An ICE arrest of individuals violating immigration laws without criminal convictions or charges.
Deportation → The formal removal of a noncitizen from the United States by immigration authorities.

This Article in a Nutshell

ICE arrest policies under Trump shifted dramatically in 2025, expanding from criminals to many noncriminal immigrants, impacting families and communities nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com

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Oliver Mercer
Chief Editor
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As the Chief Editor at VisaVerge.com, Oliver Mercer is instrumental in steering the website's focus on immigration, visa, and travel news. His role encompasses curating and editing content, guiding a team of writers, and ensuring factual accuracy and relevance in every article. Under Oliver's leadership, VisaVerge.com has become a go-to source for clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date information, helping readers navigate the complexities of global immigration and travel with confidence and ease.
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