Key Takeaways
• ICE detained 1,618 immigrants in Southern California in June 2025 amid nationwide enforcement surge.
• North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan opened in June 2025, holding up to 1,800 detainees.
• New ICE policies expanded expedited removal nationwide and allowed deportations to third countries.
Federal immigration enforcement has entered a new phase in 2025, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sharply increasing deportations and detentions across the United States 🇺🇸. In June 2025 alone, ICE detained over 1,600 immigrants in Southern California, reflecting a nationwide surge in enforcement actions. This uptick comes alongside the opening of the Midwest’s largest ICE detention center, North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan, and the rollout of new policies that allow for faster and broader deportations. These changes are reshaping the landscape for undocumented immigrants, their families, and the communities in which they live.
ICE Ramps Up Deportations: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, working with local law enforcement under federal programs, are detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants.
What: ICE has increased deportation operations, expanded the use of expedited removal (a process that allows for rapid deportation without a court hearing), and started using third-country removals for certain protected individuals.
When: The surge began in June 2025, with new policies taking effect in January and February 2025.
Where: Major metropolitan areas like Southern California and Chicago have seen the highest numbers of arrests. Detainees are now being sent to large facilities like North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan due to state bans on ICE contracts with local jails.
Why: The Trump administration has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, aiming to address a backlog of removal orders and focus on individuals with criminal convictions. However, data shows that many recent arrestees do not have criminal records.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
Between June 6 and June 22, 2025, ICE arrested 1,618 immigrants for deportation in Southern California alone. Of these, 787 were arrested for protest-related offenses. Nationwide, ICE has signed 737 Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) for 287(g) programs, covering 40 states as of June 26, 2025. These agreements allow local police to help ICE with immigration enforcement, making it easier for ICE to find and detain undocumented immigrants.
The North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan, which opened in June 2025, can hold up to 1,800 detainees. This facility is now housing people detained in cities like Chicago, especially after Illinois banned ICE contracts with local jails.
How ICE’s New Policies Work
Expedited Removal: Faster Deportations, Fewer Protections
In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded the use of expedited removal. Before this change, ICE could only use expedited removal within 100 miles of the border and for people who had been in the U.S. for less than 14 days. Now, ICE can use this process anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸 against undocumented immigrants who cannot prove they have lived in the country for at least two years.
How the expedited removal process works:
- Arrest: ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrests an undocumented individual anywhere in the U.S.
- Proof of Residence: The individual must show evidence of two years of continuous residence in the U.S.
- Decision: If the person cannot provide this proof, ICE can order deportation without a hearing before an immigration judge.
- Exception: If the person claims fear of returning to their home country, they receive a “credible fear interview.” If they pass, they may apply for asylum or other protection.
This change means that many more people are at risk of being deported quickly, often without a chance to see a judge or get legal help. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this expansion has made it much harder for undocumented immigrants to defend themselves, especially those who do not have documents on hand to prove how long they have lived in the country.
Third-Country Removals: New Risks for Protected Individuals
In February 2025, ICE issued a directive to increase the use of third-country removals. This policy targets people who have been granted protection from deportation to their home country under “withholding of removal” or the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Now, ICE can try to deport these individuals to a third country, not just their country of origin.
How third-country removal works:
- Identification: ICE identifies individuals with removal orders and country-specific protections.
- Assessment: During check-ins or after detention, ICE considers whether removal to a third country is possible.
- Action: If ICE finds a third country willing to accept the person, they can deport them there, often without further court hearings.
This policy has created new uncertainty for people who thought they were safe from deportation. Many now face the risk of being sent to countries where they have no connections or support.
The Role of North Lake Correctional Facility and Private Detention
With states like Illinois banning ICE contracts with local jails, ICE has turned to large, often private, detention centers in other states. The North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan, is now the Midwest’s largest ICE detention center. Chicago ICE Field Office Director Sam Olson explained that the move was necessary because of the lack of local detention options.
Key facts about North Lake Correctional Facility:
- Capacity: Can hold up to 1,800 detainees.
- Location: Baldwin, Michigan.
- Purpose: Houses individuals detained in cities like Chicago after state-level bans on ICE contracts.
Advocacy groups, including the ACLU and the National Immigrant Justice Center, have raised concerns about the use of private detention centers. They warn that these facilities often have less oversight, which can lead to abuse and poor conditions. Families also worry about being separated from loved ones who are sent far from home, making it harder to visit or provide support.
Local Law Enforcement and the 287(g) Program
ICE’s increased enforcement is supported by the 287(g) program, which allows local police to work with ICE on immigration matters. As of June 26, 2025, there are 737 MOAs for 287(g) programs in 40 states. This means that local police can help ICE identify, detain, and transfer undocumented immigrants.
Supporters of the program say it helps keep communities safe by focusing on individuals with criminal convictions. However, critics argue that it leads to racial profiling and makes immigrant communities afraid to report crimes or cooperate with police.
Impact on Immigrants and Their Families
The recent changes have had a deep effect on undocumented immigrants and their families:
- Rapid Deportations: Many people are now at risk of being deported quickly, sometimes within days of being detained.
- Family Separation: Transfers to out-of-state detention centers like North Lake Correctional Facility make it hard for families to stay in touch.
- Legal Hurdles: The speed of expedited removal and third-country removals gives people little time to find a lawyer or gather documents.
- Community Fear: Increased ICE activity and cooperation with local police have made many immigrants afraid to leave their homes or seek help.
Civil rights advocates warn that these policies increase the risk of wrongful deportation and due process violations, especially for those who do not have access to legal representation.
Multiple Perspectives: Enforcement, Advocacy, and Legal Experts
Government and Enforcement
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has stated that 75% of nationwide arrests under the Trump administration have been of immigrants with criminal convictions or pending charges. However, recent ICE data suggests that this number is lower in current operations, with many people being detained for minor offenses or no criminal history at all.
Officials argue that strict enforcement is necessary to uphold immigration laws and address the backlog of removal orders.
Advocacy and Community Groups
Groups like the ACLU and the National Immigrant Justice Center are concerned about the expansion of private detention centers and the lack of oversight. They point out that moving detainees far from their homes makes it harder for families to stay together and for lawyers to provide help.
Advocates also worry about the impact on children and communities, especially when parents are detained or deported with little warning.
Legal Experts
Legal experts say that the expansion of expedited removal and third-country removals has made the immigration system more complex and risky. They warn that people may be deported without a fair hearing or a chance to explain their situation. This is especially true for those who do not speak English well or do not know their rights.
Historical Context: How We Got Here
ICE has long relied on local jails, including Metro jails in major cities, to detain and transfer individuals pending deportation. In recent years, several states have passed laws banning ICE contracts with local jails, forcing ICE to use out-of-state, often private, facilities.
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority, expanding the use of expedited removal and third-country removals, and increasing cooperation with local law enforcement through the 287(g) program.
What’s Next? Future Outlook and Legal Challenges
The situation remains dynamic, with several possible developments on the horizon:
- Expansion of Detention Centers: ICE is likely to keep expanding the use of large, private detention centers in states willing to contract with the agency.
- Legal Challenges: Civil rights groups are expected to file lawsuits challenging the legality of expedited removal and third-country removal policies.
- Policy Changes: Future court rulings, public protests, or changes in federal administration priorities could lead to further policy adjustments.
What Immigrants and Families Can Do
If you or someone you know is at risk of detention or deportation, it is important to:
- Know Your Rights: Learn what to do if approached by ICE. The National Immigration Law Center provides helpful resources at nilc.org.
- Gather Documents: Keep proof of residence, such as bills, school records, or pay stubs, in a safe place.
- Seek Legal Help: Contact a trusted immigration lawyer or legal aid organization as soon as possible.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources like the ICE website for the latest news and policy changes.
Official Resources and Further Reading
- ICE Official Website: ice.gov – For news releases, policy updates, and contact information.
- National Immigration Law Center: nilc.org – Know your rights resources.
- ACLU National Prison Project: aclu.org – Oversight and advocacy on detention conditions.
- CLINIC Legal: cliniclegal.org – Updates on removal proceedings and litigation.
Conclusion: A Changing Landscape for Immigration Enforcement
The sharp increase in ICE deportations, the expansion of expedited removal, and the use of third-country removals have changed the reality for undocumented immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸. The opening of new detention centers like North Lake Correctional Facility and the growing use of private facilities have raised serious concerns about oversight, family separation, and access to legal help.
While government officials argue that these measures are necessary to enforce the law and protect public safety, advocacy groups and legal experts warn of the risks to due process and human rights. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the practical effects include greater risk of rapid deportation, increased transfers to distant detention centers, and heightened legal and humanitarian concerns.
The future remains uncertain, with ongoing legal challenges and possible policy changes ahead. For immigrants and their families, staying informed, knowing their rights, and seeking legal help are more important than ever. The debate over immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation will likely continue to shape the lives of millions in the months and years to come.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for immigration enforcement and deportation operations.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process without a court hearing for certain undocumented immigrants.
287(g) Program → Agreements allowing local law enforcement to assist ICE with immigration enforcement.
Third-Country Removal → Deporting an individual to a country other than their origin to enforce removal orders.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) → Formal contract defining cooperation terms between ICE and local law enforcement agencies.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, ICE sharply increased deportations and opened North Lake Correctional Facility. Expedited removal now applies nationwide, risking rapid deportations without hearings. The 287(g) program expands local police cooperation. These changes severely impact undocumented immigrants, causing family separations and legal challenges amid growing concerns over private detention conditions.
— By VisaVerge.com
