President Donald Trump has unleashed a massive immigration crackdown, with ICE arrest rates more than doubling within the first 50 days of his second term, according to newly released figures. This surge marks a dramatic shift from the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 32,809 migrants between January 20 and March 10, a sharp rise from the Biden administration’s daily average of 255 arrests last year. Despite this rapid increase, Trump has yet to fully deliver on his campaign promise of the “largest deportation program of criminals in American history,” referencing the controversial 1954 “Operation Wetback” mass deportation effort.
The Bigger Picture
At the current arrest rate, ICE could detain nearly 1 million undocumented immigrants over Trump’s four-year term. However, arrests don’t necessarily lead to deportations. Analysts estimate that over 11 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the U.S., and the White House has made clear that it views all of them as criminals for violating immigration laws.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced this stance on January 29, stating that Trump’s administration is committed to enforcing immigration laws without exception.
Shocking Allegations of Data Manipulation
DHS and ICE officials claim that the Biden administration misled the public by manipulating ICE arrest data. They accuse the previous administration of “cooking the books,” inflating arrest numbers while quietly releasing many detainees under catch-and-release policies.
In fiscal year 2024, ICE recorded 33,242 at-large arrests—those made outside of jails or border checkpoints. In contrast, Trump’s administration has nearly matched that total in just 50 days, signaling a radical shift in enforcement strategies.
“We have returned ICE to its core mission—arresting those who violate immigration law. We are shifting the culture of ICE to one of action and accountability,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons during a press call.
Who’s Being Targeted?
Of the 32,809 undocumented immigrants arrested since January 20:
- 14,111 had prior criminal convictions.
- 9,980 face pending criminal charges.
- 8,718 were arrested for immigration violations.
Notably, ICE has also apprehended 1,555 suspected gang members, 44 foreign fugitives, and 39 individuals labeled as known or suspected terrorists.
Overflowing Detention Centers & Military Involvement
As the crackdown intensifies, ICE detention centers are at full capacity, currently holding 47,600 detainees. The administration is working with the Department of Defense to secure additional detention space to accommodate the growing number of arrests.
What’s Next?
ICE leaders predict that arrest and deportation numbers will continue to rise as enforcement measures ramp up. “Doubling ICE arrests is just the beginning,” Lyons stated. “We are unleashing an agency that has had its hands tied for four years.”
With Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration in full force, DHS and ICE are now pressing Congress for additional funding to expand detention capacity and enforcement operations.
