ICE Targets Noncriminals: Arrests Surge 1,100%
Under new directives, 79% of ICE’s weekly non-custodial arrests now involve individuals with no criminal convictions.
Recent data published by the Cato Institute, in collaboration with DeportationData.org, has revealed a concerning shift in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics.
The findings highlight a dramatic increase in arrests of noncriminal immigrants, with ICE focusing less on public safety threats and more on sheer numbers. This unprecedented crackdown raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the impact on communities across the United States.
The newly released data paints a stark picture of ICE’s enforcement priorities:
Targeting Noncriminals: ICE is arresting an overwhelming number of immigrants with no criminal history. By early June 2025, nearly 4,000 noncriminals were being arrested weekly—a staggering 1,100% increase compared to 2017.
Street Arrests Surge: ICE has ramped up non-custodial arrests, often targeting individuals in public spaces like worksites, courthouses, and even bus stops. Weekly at-large arrests have skyrocketed from 856 in 2017 to nearly 5,000 in 2025.
These actions have led to chaotic scenes in communities, with peaceful individuals being detained in public, often by masked agents. This approach not only increases the likelihood of unnecessary confrontations but also raises the risk of mistakes, with U.S. citizens and legal residents being caught in the dragnet.
A Shift in Priorities
The data reveals a significant shift in ICE’s focus since January 2025. Under new directives, 79% of ICE’s weekly non-custodial arrests now involve individuals with no criminal convictions—up 23 percentage points since the start of the year.
This shift stems from orders by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who reportedly deprioritized criminals in favor of targeting noncriminals. According to ICE sources, the emphasis is now on “numbers, pure numbers,” leading to arrests at places like Home Depot and 7-Eleven.
The Human Cost
The impact of these policies is profound. Most of those arrested are individuals who would otherwise lead peaceful, productive lives in the United States. Many have no criminal charges or convictions, and less than 6% of ICE book-ins involve individuals with violent offenses.
Instead, the majority are detained for minor infractions like immigration violations or traffic offenses.
This indiscriminate approach has also led to U.S. citizens and legal residents being mistakenly detained. The lack of transparency and accountability in ICE’s operations only exacerbates the problem, eroding public trust and creating fear within communities.
A Call for Change
The data underscores the need for a fundamental shift in ICE’s enforcement priorities. Rather than targeting noncriminals, ICE should focus on genuine public safety threats. Congress must also take action to provide a pathway to permanent lawful status for peaceful immigrants, allowing them to contribute to society without fear of deportation.
The current approach is not only ineffective but also inhumane. It’s time for policymakers to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights in immigration enforcement.