Data from the University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project indicates that over one-third of the approximately 220,000 individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) between January 20 and October 15, 2017, had no prior criminal records. This amounts to nearly 75,000 individuals apprehended despite the Trump administration's claims that enforcement efforts would focus on serious offenders such as murderers and rapists.

Ariel Ruiz Soto, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, noted that these statistics contradict the administration's assertions regarding the nature of targeted individuals. The data was obtained through a lawsuit against ICE, which has not regularly published detailed arrest information since January 2017.

The data does not differentiate between individuals with minor offenses and those with serious crimes among those with criminal histories. Additionally, it excludes arrests made by the Border Patrol, which has intensified operations in various U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina, and is currently active in New Orleans. Both ICE and Border Patrol operate under the Department of Homeland Security but have distinct missions, with Border Patrol primarily focused on border security.

Ruiz Soto expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding Border Patrol's operations, questioning the number of arrests made and the conditions under which they occur. Reports indicate that ICE field offices have faced pressure to increase arrest numbers, with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller reportedly threatening to dismiss senior ICE officials if they did not meet a target of 3,000 arrests per day. Despite this pressure, ICE has averaged 824 arrests daily since January 20, 2017, which is still more than double the average under the Biden administration in 2024.

The demographic data reveals that approximately 90% of those arrested were male, with Mexican nationals comprising the largest group at around 85,000, followed by Guatemalan and Honduran nationals. Over 60% of those arrested were between the ages of 25 and 45. George Carrillo, CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, acknowledged the adverse effects of these enforcement operations on businesses that rely on migrant labor, suggesting that even conservative stakeholders are beginning to recognize the need for a reevaluation of current immigration strategies.

The data does not clarify how many of those arrested were ultimately deported, although 22,959 individuals are categorized as having voluntarily departed the U.S. Currently, ICE is detaining approximately 65,000 migrants in facilities across the country.

In a related context, Tom Homan, former border czar for ICE, reported a 1200% increase in threats against ICE officers, including doxxing and physical attacks. He emphasized the need for officers to protect themselves while asserting that any misconduct should be addressed. Homan's comments reflect a growing tension in public perception regarding law enforcement actions and the treatment of undocumented individuals.

Additionally, Homan defended intensified ICE operations in Minnesota, where allegations of fraudulent immigration documentation among the Somali migrant population have emerged. He stated that the presence of undocumented immigrants does not pose a threat to lawful citizens, although the scrutiny of the Somali community has increased following a significant fraud scandal. Critics, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about the harshness of these enforcement measures, highlighting the potential for misidentification of U.S. citizens during operations.