ICE Detention Population Surpasses 65,000 as Arrests of Non-Criminal Migrants Surge Under Trump Administration

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The scope of the federal government’s immigration dragnet has reached historic levels, with new data revealing a significant shift in who is being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to the latest statistics from TRAC and agency reports current as of late November 2025, the number of individuals in ICE custody has surged to over 65,000.

However, contrary to the White House narrative that enforcement is laser-focused on “dangerous criminals,” the data shows that the majority of those currently behind bars have no criminal record at all.

This statistical reality contradicts the administration’s public messaging, which emphasizes the removal of “murderers” and “gang members,” and suggests a strategy that prioritizes volume over criminal history.

Discussion

luz Rivera

Please clean up the mess that Biden/Kamala made

TOM GRIFFIN

Do the best you can

Gib Boxa

Yes definitely cleanup the mess and Prosecute those that caused it.

Peatro

All illegals are infact criminals arrest an deported them all.

robert buccina

We should jail the biggest criminal of all guess who?

Jerome Miller

ICE needs to keep up the good work.

Frank Paxton

Let ICE do their job…
Start moving illegals in with their supporters. Let the supporters pay the bills for the illegals. NO!! Let ICE remove them.

Frank Paxton

Do not pay illegals to leave.. Pay a reward to people to turn in the ilegals.

Steve Metzner

The statement that those in custody are not criminals is false. They came into the country illegally. That makes them criminals.

Robert buccina

What about the worst criminal of a convicted the subhuman we have for president?

Sue

People that have been here for years and pay taxs should not be remove. Tell them to get Legal..ones that just came over send them back to their country unless they were pursicuted

Donald

Law and order are important, but let's not lose sight of humanity.

william travis driver

Couldn't agree more! We gotta make sure we keep our borders safe while still being decent to folks. At least with Trump, we know he's putting America first and trying to control the chaos the Dems left behind. MAGA all the way!

TOM GRIFFIN

Break out a water cannon they will go home

Sue

All these people in the streets rioting. If on Welfare then kick them off Welfare. No one working? No one talks about this. Are they getting paid thru someone else to Riot?

Diane

I support All legal manor to rid our nation of illegals If people want to live in our country then do so legally or don't come! Give these people what is a fair amount of time but not years! If people want to live in the US the adopt the Us traditons1 If they want to keep the traditions of their country then stay their! I support ICE! It's time for anyone who is not an Idiot to support ICE! STOP PAYING ILLEGALS WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, WE NEED TO HELP OUR OWN! I SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP!

Sue

I agree..you want to live in the US? Don't push your traditions on us..go home

Ross

Mr. Ross is deceased

Gene Goodwin

The entire Muslim population within our borders is a treat to our way of life. They should ALL be deported ASAP.

Fred

Come to America the old fashion way legally for anyone to do or want it different is not American. We already are looking like a third world country. My opinion to run for any political office you should be born in America.

jean

clean up this mess and make America great again.Go ice

Diane

Keep up the good work. Every last illegal needs to go. Every last one.

Carl Leininger

100%

robert buccin

The sad part is that the stupid people that voted for a convicted criminal and a proven liar over 30000 in first term believe the Lies they are pushing What HE is doing to this country is disgraceful and horrible He Belongs I JAIL !!!

`Roberta Kost

We need to get our Country back from illegal immigrants.

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At a Glance: The State of Detention

  • Total Detainees: 65,735 people were in ICE detention as of November 30, 2025.
  • Criminal History: 73.6% (48,377) of current detainees have no criminal conviction. Many who do have records committed only minor offenses like traffic violations.
  • Monthly Bookings: In October 2025 alone, 41,624 people were booked into ICE detention.
  • Top State: Texas leads the nation in detention capacity, housing 17,696 detainees. The El Paso Camp East Montana facility holds the most people, averaging 2,774 per day.
  • Surveillance: 182,009 people are currently monitored via “Alternatives to Detention” (ATD) programs (ankle monitors, apps), with San Francisco leading the list.
el paso detention camp east monatana

The Surge of Non-Criminal Arrests

For the first time under the second Trump administration, the number of immigrants in detention with no criminal history has surpassed those with criminal records or pending charges.

Official data indicates that of those arrested specifically by ICE (excluding Border Patrol transfers), 16,523 had no criminal record, compared to 15,725 with a record. This shift has drawn sharp criticism from former homeland security officials who argue the net is being cast too wide.

“These are hardworking people. These are not criminals… I’m sure the Trump administration is defining β€˜criminal’ really widely to say that if they are here undocumented, then they are a β€˜criminal’. But these are not bad people.” β€” Former DHS Civil Rights Official (Anonymous)

The increase is partly attributed to “collateral arrests”β€”instances where ICE agents target a specific individual but arrest others present at the scene who lack legal status. A recent high-profile raid at a Hyundai factory construction site in Georgia resulted in over 300 arrests, including individuals who allegedly held valid visas.

hyundai factory construction site ice raid

DHS Defends the Strategy

Despite the data showing a prevalence of non-criminal detainees, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that its priority remains public safety threats.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, pushed back against the criticism, stating that the agency focuses on the “worst of the worst.”

The facts are Ice is targeting the worst of the worst – including murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, and rapists. Seventy per cent of Ice arrests are of criminal illegal aliens who have been convicted or have pending charges in the US.” β€” Tricia McLaughlin, DHS

However, critics note that “pending charges” can include minor infractions, and the raw detention numbers (where nearly 74% have no conviction) tell a different story than the arrest percentages cited by DHS.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS

Texas: The Detention Capital

Geographically, the enforcement weight is heavily concentrated in the South. Texas is housing more than double the number of detainees compared to the next highest state, Louisiana (7,096).

Facilities like the Ero El Paso Camp East Montana have become massive holding centers, processing thousands of individuals a month. Meanwhile, federal spending on enforcement is set to increase even further following unprecedented funding legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Congress this summer.

kristie noem with ice agents during raid

As the administration continues its push to arrest 3,000 people per day, the definition of who counts as a “priority” for deportation appears to be expanding, pulling in thousands of residents with no criminal background into the federal prison system.