ICE Reports 120% Rise in Arrests

Immigration enforcement activity has significantly increased under President Donald Trump’s second term, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reporting more than 109,000 arrests between January 20 and June 27, 2025. This marks a 120% rise compared to the same time period in 2024 under President Joe Biden.

The shift reflects a broader enforcement strategy implemented by the Trump administration, which directs ICE to arrest undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal history. In contrast, the Biden administration primarily targeted individuals with serious criminal records or public safety risks. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that any violation of federal immigration law qualifies an individual for detention under current policy.

Southern and border states accounted for the majority of ICE arrests. Texas led with nearly 25% of all arrests during this period, followed by Florida with 11%, California with 7%, Georgia with 4%, and Arizona with 3%. The arrests involved individuals from nearly 180 countries, with the highest numbers originating from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, and El Salvador.

ICE operations vary by region, often depending on cooperation levels between local law enforcement and federal authorities. In states where local agencies coordinate with ICE, more arrests occur through custodial transfers. In jurisdictions with limited cooperation, ICE agents typically conduct “at-large” operations to locate individuals.

To support expanded enforcement, ICE has increased hiring efforts, extending more than 1,000 tentative job offers so far this year. These efforts are part of a broader $170 billion immigration enforcement initiative passed by Congress in early 2025. The funding supports the recruitment of new officers, administrative staff, and infrastructure development to enhance agency capacity.

The current enforcement approach includes a stated goal of reaching one million deportations annually. ICE continues to operate across the country, with arrest operations focused in areas with high volumes of noncitizens and existing logistical coordination.

The 2025 arrest figures reflect a change in federal immigration priorities compared to the previous year, emphasizing broader eligibility for detention and removal under existing immigration law.