Immigration enforcement in Colorado has changed sharply since President Trump took office in January 2025. Despite public claims that his policy targets “the worst of the worst,” new ICE arrest data shows a much broader sweep, with many noncriminal immigrants now facing detention and removal.
Between January 20 and June 26, 2025, ICE arrests in Colorado jumped by 305% compared to the same period in 2024. The number of people arrested rose from 483 to 1,955. Wyoming saw a similar trend, with arrests nearly tripling. This surge is not just about numbers—it’s about who is being arrested. As of late June, 47% of the 544 people arrested by ICE in the Denver Field Office region, which covers Colorado and Wyoming, had no criminal charge at all. Back in January, that figure was 28%. This means that nearly half of those detained had no criminal record or even a pending charge.
The drop in criminal conviction rates among those arrested is also striking. Under President Trump, only 39% of people arrested in Colorado and Wyoming had a criminal conviction at the time of arrest. Under President Biden, that number was 61%. Most of the convictions now are for less serious offenses, like drunken driving, rather than violent or serious crimes. Nationally, the share of ICE arrests involving people without criminal charges or convictions averaged 47% in early June 2025, up from about 21% before the Trump administration tripled ICE’s arrest quota.
Colorado’s only ICE detention center, located in Aurora, held 1,232 people as of July 3, 2025. The average daily population was 1,159, making it the 11th-largest ICE detention population in the United States 🇺🇸. This rapid increase in detention has created new challenges for families, legal advocates, and local communities.
The Trump administration’s new policies have set explicit arrest quotas for ICE officers. This has led to more aggressive enforcement tactics, including arrests at homes, workplaces, and even during immigration court appearances. Many of those arrested are not dangerous criminals but rather visa overstayers, people who lost Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and asylum seekers with pending cases. Advocates say ICE is now routinely arresting people with pending asylum claims and no criminal record, a practice not seen in previous years.
Laura Lunn, director of advocacy and litigation at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, described the situation: “People are being picked up from their homes, workplaces, people are being picked up as they’re walking their dogs. This is ruthless and I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Her organization and others have seen a sharp rise in calls for help from people with no criminal history who are suddenly facing detention and possible deportation.
These enforcement patterns directly contradict President Trump’s public statements that ICE would focus on “the worst of the worst” and dangerous criminals. Instead, the data shows a broadening of enforcement to include large numbers of noncriminal immigrants. Federal officials, including President Trump and ICE leadership, continue to assert that enforcement is focused on serious criminals. However, independent analysis by the Deportation Data Project at UC Berkeley School of Law, The Colorado Sun, WyoFile, and Aspen Public Radio confirms the shift toward arresting noncriminal immigrants.
The Trump administration’s 2025 immigration agenda, outlined in Project 2025, calls for expanded expedited removal, elimination of sensitive enforcement zones, and the repeal of humanitarian relief programs such as TPS, DACA, and visas for victims of crime or trafficking. These changes have allowed ICE to cast a much wider net, affecting many who previously would not have been targeted.
Legal and humanitarian concerns are growing. The administration’s aggressive tactics and disregard for prior enforcement priorities have raised questions about due process and basic fairness. Several executive orders related to enforcement priorities and border closures are now facing legal challenges in federal courts. Some of these orders are under temporary restraining orders, meaning their future is uncertain.
Unless courts or Congress step in, the Trump administration is expected to continue expanding ICE enforcement. The focus will likely remain on rapid removals and fewer protections for noncriminal immigrants. This has created widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities, especially in Colorado, where many families now worry about sudden arrests at any time.
ICE now routinely conducts arrests in places that were previously considered “sensitive,” such as schools and hospitals. The agency targets individuals regardless of their criminal history, including those with pending legal cases or humanitarian claims. This has made it harder for immigrants to trust public institutions or seek help when they need it.
For those affected in Colorado, there are resources available. The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network offers legal support to people facing ICE detention or removal. The Deportation Data Project at UC Berkeley School of Law provides up-to-date ICE arrest data, helping advocates and families understand what is happening in their communities. The ICE Denver Field Office also provides contact information for those seeking updates on detained loved ones.
Local and state officials in Colorado have responded in different ways. Some are pushing back against federal enforcement priorities, calling for more humane policies and better protection for noncriminal immigrants. Others are cooperating more closely with ICE, arguing that public safety requires strict enforcement. This has led to tension between local governments and federal authorities, with immigrant communities caught in the middle.
The practical effect of these changes is clear: widespread fear and uncertainty among immigrants, families separated by detention, and growing legal challenges. Many people who have lived in Colorado for years, worked hard, and contributed to their communities now face the threat of removal, even if they have no criminal record.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these enforcement patterns have created a climate of fear and confusion, making it harder for immigrants to access basic services or trust law enforcement. Advocates urge affected individuals to seek legal help and stay informed about their rights.
For more information on ICE enforcement and to find official resources, visit the ICE Denver Field Office. Those seeking legal assistance can contact the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. Data and trends on ICE arrests are available through the Deportation Data Project.
In summary, ICE arrests in Colorado have surged under President Trump in 2025, with a majority of those arrested having no criminal history. The administration’s enforcement practices sharply contradict its stated focus on “the worst of the worst.” The result is widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities, with legal and humanitarian concerns mounting as enforcement expands. Families and advocates continue to call for fairer policies and better protection for noncriminal immigrants, while legal battles over the administration’s actions play out in the courts.
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