U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported a significant increase in arrests and deportations since the beginning of the current administration, particularly targeting individuals with criminal records, as part of a broader push to enhance public safety and border security.
Recent data from DHS and ICE highlight a surge in enforcement actions. For instance, in New York City alone, ICE has issued over 6,000 arrest requests (detainers) to transfer custody of individuals in “sanctuary city” settings since January 20, 2025 – a more than 400 percent increase compared to the entire previous administration’s activity in the city.
In Houston, ICE reported arresting over 200 “illegal alien child sex offenders” in the past six months, surpassing the total arrests for this category during the entire 2024 fiscal year. Overall, ICE states that 70% of its recent arrests include individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges. The agency frequently issues press releases detailing the apprehension and removal of individuals convicted of serious offenses such as sexual assault, aggravated assault, and gang affiliation.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized this focus, stating, “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, our law enforcement is working at lightning speed to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the U.S. Every single day we are arresting gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and violent predators… These arrests and deportations of criminal illegal aliens are having real impact on public safety.”
The administration attributes a reported decrease in certain violent crimes in U.S. cities during the first six months of 2025 to these intensified enforcement efforts, citing a Council on Criminal Justice report that indicated declines in gun assaults, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and carjacking.
However, statistics also indicate a substantial number of individuals detained and deported by ICE do not have criminal convictions. As of mid-July 2025, over 70% of current ICE detainees reportedly have no criminal convictions, and a large proportion of those with convictions are for minor offenses, including traffic violations. This suggests a broader scope of enforcement actions beyond just “criminal illegals.”
ICE continues to expand its operations, including through increased cooperation with state and local law enforcement via programs like 287(g), and a new nationwide recruitment campaign called “Defend the Homeland” to attract more agents. The agency maintains that these efforts are crucial for upholding the rule of law and protecting American communities.
