ICE Arrest Data Reveals Majority of Detainees Lack Violent Criminal Histories in Trump's First Year Back in Office

Washington, D.C. — February 9, 2026 — An internal Department of Homeland Security document obtained by CBS News has shed new light on the profile of individuals arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during President Donald Trump's first year back in the White House, showing that fewer than 14% had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses.

The data, covering nearly 400,000 arrests from January 21, 2025, through late January 2026, indicates that only about 13.9% of those taken into ICE custody had records involving violent crimes such as assault, homicide, kidnapping, or sexual assault. Even narrower breakdowns highlight that less than 2% involved homicide or sexual assault charges or convictions, while another roughly 2% were accused of gang membership.

The document comes amid the Trump administration's aggressive push for mass deportations and interior enforcement, which has dramatically increased overall ICE arrests compared to previous years. Officials have frequently emphasized targeting the "worst of the worst," including murderers, rapists, gang members, and other serious offenders. However, the figures suggest a broader net, with nearly 60% of arrestees having some form of criminal charges or convictions — though the majority of those were for non-violent offenses.

Among the breakdowns:

• Civil immigration violations alone accounted for nearly 40% of cases.

• Other non-violent crimes, such as DWI/DUI (7.6%), dangerous drugs (5.7%), and various assaults (10.9%, though not all classified as violent in the violent category), made up significant portions.

Analyses from independent sources, including the Cato Institute and the Deportation Data Project (a collaboration between UC Berkeley and UCLA), have corroborated trends showing a rising share of arrests involving individuals with no criminal convictions or even no pending charges. By late 2025, some estimates placed the proportion of detainees with no criminal conviction as high as 73%, with only about 5% having violent convictions specifically.

The administration has countered such characterizations, with DHS statements asserting that around 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals charged or convicted of crimes in the U.S., and highlighting specific operations targeting serious offenders under laws like the Laken Riley Act.

The release of the internal data has sparked debate over enforcement priorities, with critics arguing it points to a shift toward broader community-based arrests rather than a strict focus on public safety threats. Supporters maintain that any criminal history, combined with immigration violations, justifies action to secure borders and communities.

As the second Trump term progresses, ICE operations continue at elevated levels, with ongoing discussions in Congress about funding for expanded detention capacity. The full implications of the arrest patterns remain under scrutiny as more data emerges.

17GEN4.com