ICE Reveals Plan to Detain Immigrants Indefinitely for Years

Key Takeaways

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides $45 billion to expand ICE detention through 2029, quadrupling funding.
• ICE now detains 59,000 immigrants with indefinite detention allowed for families and children, removing prior time limits.
• Immigration judges capped at 800, causing case backlogs and longer detention for many applicants and detainees.

The United States 🇺🇸 has entered a new era of immigration enforcement, marked by sweeping changes to how ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detains immigrants. These changes stem from the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and a historic increase in funding for immigration detention. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, when these changes take effect, what actions are required, and what these developments mean for people with pending or future immigration cases.

Summary of What Changed

As of July 15, 2025, the U.S. government has dramatically expanded its immigration detention system. The most important changes include:

• Massive Increase in Detention Funding: The OBBBA, signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, gives $45 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for expanding immigration detention through September 2029. This quadruples ICE’s annual detention budget.
• Record-High Detention Numbers: ICE is now detaining 59,000 immigrants, the highest number ever, and this is expected to double as new facilities are built.
• Indefinite Detention Allowed: The new law allows ICE to detain children and families for unlimited periods, removing previous time limits that protected minors.
• Cap on Immigration Judges: The law limits the number of immigration judges to 800, even as the number of cases grows. This means cases will move even slower, and people may be detained for years.
• Expansion of Family Detention: New funding is being used to build and reopen family detention centers, meaning more parents and children will be held together for long periods.
• Private Prisons’ Role Grows: Nearly 90% of detainees are now held in for-profit facilities run by companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group.

Who Is Affected

These changes impact a wide range of people:

• Immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸: Anyone suspected of violating immigration laws, including those with no criminal record, faces a much higher risk of being detained for a long time.
• Families and Children: The removal of time limits means entire families, including young children, can be held in detention centers for years.
• Lawfully Present Immigrants: Some immigrants with legal status may lose access to health and nutrition benefits, affecting their families and communities.
• Pending and Future Applicants: People with ongoing immigration cases will likely face longer waits and more time in detention due to court backlogs.

Effective Dates

• July 1, 2025: The U.S. Senate passed a budget bill that increased funding for ICE and detention.
• July 4, 2025: President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, making the changes effective immediately.
• July 15, 2025: ICE’s new detention policies and standards are officially in place.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you or someone you know may be affected by these changes, here are important steps to consider:

• Know Your Rights: If approached by ICE, you have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. Do not sign any documents without understanding them.
• Seek Legal Help: With court backlogs and fewer judges, it is more important than ever to find a qualified immigration attorney. Legal aid organizations may be able to help.
• Prepare for Longer Detention: Families and individuals should be ready for the possibility of being held for months or even years while waiting for a court decision.
• Monitor Case Status: Stay in contact with your attorney and check the status of your case regularly. Delays are expected to increase.
• Report Detention Conditions: If you or a loved one is detained and facing unsafe or unsanitary conditions, report this to the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024.

Implications for Pending Applications

For those with pending immigration applications, these changes have serious consequences:

• Longer Wait Times: The cap on immigration judges means cases will take much longer to resolve. Some people may be detained for years before their case is heard.
• Limited Access to Legal Help: With more people in detention and no increase in legal resources, it will be harder to get legal advice or representation.
• Higher Risk of Detention: Even immigrants with no criminal record are being detained in record numbers. Over 80% of current detainees have no ICE-assigned “threat level.”
• Uncertain Outcomes: The longer people are detained, the more difficult it becomes to gather evidence, contact witnesses, or prepare a strong case.

Detailed Breakdown of Policy Changes

1. Expansion of Detention Capacity

• ICE’s detention population has jumped to 59,000 and is expected to reach over 100,000 as new centers open.
• The new funding supports building family detention centers and reopening closed facilities.
• Private prison companies are seeing record profits, with almost 90% of detainees in for-profit centers.

2. Indefinite Detention for Families and Children

• The OBBBA removes previous limits on how long children can be held, which were set by the Flores Settlement Agreement.
• Now, families and children can be detained for as long as it takes for their case to be decided, which could be years.

3. Fewer Immigration Judges

• The law caps the number of immigration judges at 800, even though the number of cases is growing fast.
• This will make the backlog worse, leading to even longer detention times.

4. New Detention Standards

• ICE has updated its National Detention Standards for 2025, but many advocacy groups say conditions are still poor.
• Reports include unsanitary facilities, lack of medical care, and at least 10 deaths in detention this year.

5. Increased Enforcement and Arrests

• ICE is making about 1,200 arrests every day, with some days over 2,000.
• Most new detainees have no criminal record, and only 7% are considered the most severe threat.

Step-by-Step Process for Detained Individuals

1. Arrest: ICE arrests people suspected of immigration violations, often during workplace or community raids.
2. Processing: Detainees are classified by ICE and sent to detention centers, including new or makeshift facilities.
3. Detention: With indefinite detention now allowed, people may be held for years, especially as court backlogs grow.
4. Legal Proceedings: Detainees wait for immigration court hearings, often with little or no legal help.
5. Outcome: Most will either be deported, released (rare), or kept in detention if their case is delayed or appealed.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• Trump Administration: President Trump and his advisers say these changes are needed to protect national security and enforce immigration laws.
• Congress: The Senate passed the funding bill with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. The House is expected to approve it soon.
• Private Prison Industry: Companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group are seeing record demand for their services.
• Advocacy and Legal Groups: Organizations like the American Immigration Council and National Immigration Law Center strongly oppose the expansion, warning of harm to children and families and possible legal violations.

Humanitarian and Legal Concerns

• Mental Health Risks: Experts warn that long-term detention, especially for children, can cause serious psychological harm.
• Due Process Issues: With fewer judges and limited legal help, many detainees may not get a fair hearing.
• Oversight Problems: ICE has blocked lawmakers from visiting detention centers, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
• Loss of Benefits: Many lawfully present immigrants are losing access to health and nutrition programs, making life harder for their families.

Historical Context

• Under President Biden, ICE detention numbers rose from about 14,000 at the end of President Trump’s first term to nearly 40,000 by January 2025. The focus was on closing some private facilities.
• President Trump’s return in 2025 brought a sharp increase in detention, with record funding and a focus on holding both adults and families for longer periods.

Future Outlook

• The House of Representatives is expected to pass the Senate’s funding bill, locking in the expanded detention system.
• Legal challenges are likely, especially over the indefinite detention of children and families.
• Advocacy groups are working to document abuses and push for oversight, but the administration has resisted calls for transparency.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, here are some important resources:

• ICE Detention Standards and Data: For the latest official information on detention policies and facility standards, visit the ICE official website.
• American Immigration Council: Offers policy analysis and resources for immigrants and advocates.
• National Immigration Law Center: Provides legal updates and support for affected communities.
• ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: Call 1-888-351-4024 to report unsafe conditions or seek help.

What This Means for Immigrants and Their Families

The expansion of ICE detention under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. Immigrants—including families and children—now face the real possibility of being held for years while waiting for their cases to be decided. The removal of time limits for child detention, the cap on immigration judges, and the growth of private detention centers all point to a system where more people are held for longer periods, often in poor conditions.

For those with pending applications, it is important to prepare for longer waits and to seek legal help as soon as possible. Families should have a plan in case a loved one is detained, including knowing their rights and having important documents ready.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Stay Informed: Keep up with changes to immigration laws and policies. Visit official sources like the ICE website for updates.
• Get Legal Help: The sooner you connect with a qualified immigration attorney, the better your chances of navigating the new system.
• Know Your Rights: Remember, you have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer if detained by ICE.
• Report Problems: If you or someone you know is facing unsafe conditions in detention, use the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line.
• Support Networks: Reach out to community organizations and advocacy groups for help and information.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the rapid expansion of immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸 is likely to shape the national debate for years to come. Legal challenges, advocacy efforts, and public pressure may bring further changes, but for now, the system is set for a period of record-high detention and prolonged uncertainty for many immigrants and their families.

For more details on ICE’s detention policies and to access official forms or standards, visit the ICE official website. If you need to find specific immigration forms, such as those for requesting release or legal representation, these are available directly through the ICE website or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) portal.

In this new environment, staying informed, prepared, and connected to trusted resources is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. The changes brought by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the expanded role of ICE in immigration detention will have lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and managing detention of immigrants suspected of violations.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act → A 2025 law allocating $45 billion to expand immigration detention capacity until 2029.
Immigration judges → Officials who hear and decide immigration cases, now capped at 800 under new law.
Private prisons → For-profit facilities contracting with ICE to detain immigrants, holding nearly 90% of detainees.
Indefinite detention → Policy allowing immigrants, including children and families, to be held without time limits.

This Article in a Nutshell

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically increases ICE detention funding, allowing indefinite family detention and capping judges. Detention centers approach 59,000 immigrants, mainly in private prisons, creating lengthy delays. Immigrants must seek legal help and know their rights amid this historic expansion and uncertain immigration case outcomes.
— By VisaVerge.com