ICE arrests target non-criminals
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The gist
ICE arrested a record 49,571 people in July, over half without criminal records.
The surge signals a shift to quieter, broader enforcement affecting everyday immigrants.
Background
The Trump administration has continued its mass deportation agenda, but shifted from high-profile raids to quieter arrests at airports, check-ins, and courthouses. New data from the Deportation Data Project shows July arrests hit a record high, with a majority of those arrested having no criminal history, contradicting the administration's claim of targeting criminals.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2026ICE arrests totaled 29,241, following an enforcement surge in Minnesota.
- Jun 2026ICE arrests reached 43,021, setting a previous record for the second Trump term.
- Jul 2026ICE arrested 49,571 people, a 15% jump from June and the highest monthly total of the second Trump term; over half had no criminal record.
- Aug 25, 2026Reports emerge of ICE arresting a mother and daughter at a Florida hospital after a car crash, highlighting enforcement on non-criminals.
- Aug 26, 2026New data confirms July's record arrests and deportations, with an average of 1,500 arrests and 1,100 removals daily.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- A DHS spokesperson said, 'What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is whether or not they are illegally in the U.S.—full stop.'
- Analysts
- Graeme Blair of the Deportation Data Project says the uptick is due to expanded tactics, arresting people at airports, check-ins, and courthouses.
- Caution
- Attorneys and immigrant advocates see the data as confirming a quiet ramp-up of operations, despite the administration's insistence on targeting criminals.
Still unverified
The specific case of the Ecuadorian mother and daughter relies on a cousin's account and a warrant reviewed by Newsweek; details of the crash and arrest are not independently confirmed.