ICE Crackdown Hits Nonviolent Immigrants
Less than 14% of people arrested by ICE had charges or convictions for violent crimes.
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A newly obtained Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document provides a detailed look into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during President Trump’s first year back in office.
The data reveals that of the nearly 400,000 immigrants arrested by ICE between January 2025 and January 2026, less than 14% had charges or convictions for violent crimes.
This figure stands in stark contrast to the administration’s frequent claims that its immigration crackdown primarily targets “the worst of the worst,” including murderers, rapists, and gang members.
The statistics show that while ICE significantly increased arrests under Trump’s leadership, tripling the number of administrative arrests compared to the previous year, many of those detained were not the violent criminals often highlighted in public statements.
Nearly 40% of those arrested had no criminal record and were detained solely for civil immigration violations, such as overstaying visas or living in the U.S. without documentation.
Among those with criminal records, only 2% were linked to violent crimes like homicide or sexual assault, and just 2% were accused of gang affiliations.
The majority of charges or convictions were for non-violent offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI), drug-related crimes, and immigration-related violations.
Public Perception And Growing Opposition
The data has sparked renewed scrutiny of ICE’s tactics and priorities, particularly in cities like Minneapolis, where aggressive enforcement operations have drawn criticism.
Public support for Trump’s deportation program has waned significantly since the start of his second term. A recent CBS News poll found that only 46% of Americans now support the administration’s immigration crackdown, down from 59% earlier in his presidency.
Additionally, over 60% of respondents believe ICE agents are being “too tough” in their enforcement efforts.
Critics argue that the administration’s focus on non-violent offenders undermines its stated goal of prioritizing public safety. For example, while Trump and his aides have frequently emphasized targeting gang members, the data shows that only 1.9% of ICE arrests involved individuals with alleged gang affiliations.
The DHS document also highlights the types of crimes linked to those arrested with criminal records. While violent crimes like homicide, robbery, and sexual assault accounted for a small percentage of arrests, non-violent offenses were far more common.
Nearly 30,000 individuals were arrested for DUI-related charges, and over 22,000 were linked to drug-related offenses. Another 6,100 arrests involved weapons charges, while 5,000 were tied to burglary. The largest category, labeled “all other crimes,” included over 117,000 arrests for offenses ranging from fraud to immigration-related violations.
The data does not include arrests made by Border Patrol agents, who have also been deployed to cities far from the U.S.-Mexico border, such as Los Angeles and Chicago.
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