- ICE arrested 595,000 migrants in 2025, with 70% (416,000) having criminal convictions or pending charges. The agency prioritizes violent offenders, including murderers, rapists, gang members and those wanted abroad for terrorism/human rights abuses.
- Democrats and activists argue ICE unfairly targets nonviolent migrants (e.g., visa overstays), while the administration defends deportations as necessary for rule of law and public safety.
- Due to sanctuary city policies, ICE conducts workplace raids, courthouse arrests and retail stings (e.g., Home Depot, 7-Eleven). Most arrests stem from local law enforcement cooperation, with traffic stops being the primary source.
- Next year's crackdown plans include a $170 billion funding boost that will allow ICE to hire thousands of new agents, expand detention capacity, increase workplace raids and escalate deportations ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- The administration frames ICE's actions as critical for national security, while opponents decry them as overreach. The debate will shape immigration policy and voter sentiment in the coming years.
Nearly 70% of the 595,000 migrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025 had criminal convictions or pending charges, according to newly released data obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The figures highlight President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which prioritize deporting individuals with criminal records while sparking fierce debate over the scope and fairness of ICE operations. With the administration preparing for an even larger crackdown in 2026, the political battle over immigration enforcement shows no signs of slowing down.
ICE officials emphasized that the 70% statistic—representing roughly 416,000 individuals—does not account for migrants wanted abroad for violent crimes, terrorism or human rights abuses. "This statistic doesn't account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country or another country, INTERPOL notices, human rights abusers, gang members, terrorists, etc. The list goes on," an ICE spokesperson told the news outlet.
Among those arrested:
- Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla, detained in the U.S. for driving without a license but wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, extortion and drug possession.
- Akhror Bozorov, a citizen of Uzbekistan with no U.S. criminal record but wanted in his home country for alleged terrorist ties.
Critics, including Democrats and immigration advocacy groups, argue that ICE unfairly targets nonviolent migrants, particularly those whose only offense is unlawful entry or visa overstays. However, administration officials counter that ignoring deportation orders undermines the rule of law and strains public resources.
Expanding enforcement: Workplace raids and courthouse arrests
ICE's arrest strategy relies heavily on local law enforcement cooperation, but sanctuary city policies often force agents to track targets independently. With only 6,500 officers nationwide, ICE has expanded operations to include workplace raids, courthouse arrests and even retail hubs like Home Depot and 7-Eleven stores.
Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge and fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, explained:
"Most detainees come from state and local arrests. Traffic stops are the most common."
Data shows that between February and April, 75% of those arrested had criminal records, but that figure dipped to 67% by May as ICE broadened its operations.
Kathleen Bush-Joseph of the Migration Policy Institute noted: "Where they're arresting people is probably also really impacting these numbers… When you think about who is getting picked up at an ICE check-in or immigration court, those might not necessarily be people with criminal convictions."
More funding, more deportations
The Trump administration is gearing up for an even more aggressive enforcement push in 2026, backed by a $170 billion funding boost approved by Congress.
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the funding boost approved under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act is being used by ICE to aggressively expand deportation efforts, targeting 600,000 criminal illegal immigrants. The additional resources will allow ICE to:
- Hire thousands of new agents
- Expand detention capacity
- Increase workplace raids
Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, predicted that arrest and deportation numbers will "explode greatly" next year, signaling the administration's intent to escalate removals ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
With crime and immigration enforcement remaining top voter concerns, the Trump administration is betting that its hardline stance will resonate in the 2026 midterms. Yet opposition from Democrats, activists and sanctuary cities ensures that the debate over ICE's role—and the definition of a "criminal alien"—will remain fiercely contested.
As the administration prepares for another surge in enforcement, the question lingers: Will voters see ICE's actions as necessary for public safety—or as an overreach targeting vulnerable communities? The answer may shape immigration policy for years to come.
Watch the video below that talks about the FBI and ICE arresting 83 Somali truck drivers involved in a giant Somali drug smuggling operation.
This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.
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