Fact Check: "65% of ICE arrests during Trump's second term were of immigrants with no criminal convictions."
What We Know
The claim that "65% of ICE arrests during Trump's second term were of immigrants with no criminal convictions" is supported by several analyses of data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A report by the Washington Post indicates that a majority of undocumented immigrants arrested by ICE during Trump's administration did not have a criminal conviction. Specifically, it states that over 60% of those removed from the country since January 20, 2025, lacked a criminal record. Additionally, the Cato Institute reports that 65% of individuals taken into custody by ICE had no criminal convictions, reinforcing the claim's accuracy.
Furthermore, a CBS News analysis corroborates this by noting that more than half of the individuals detained by ICE under Trump had no criminal conviction, with a small percentage having been convicted of violent crimes. This data suggests a significant trend towards targeting non-criminal immigrants during this period.
Analysis
While the claim is largely supported by multiple sources, it is essential to evaluate the context and reliability of these sources. The Washington Post is a reputable news organization known for its investigative journalism, making its analysis of ICE data credible. The report highlights a broader trend in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, emphasizing the shift towards arresting individuals without criminal records.
The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, also provides data supporting the claim. However, while the Cato Institute is known for its research, it may have a bias towards advocating for more lenient immigration policies, which could influence its framing of the data.
On the other hand, the CBS News report adds another layer of credibility by presenting similar findings from a different perspective. Its analysis indicates that a significant portion of those detained were non-violent offenders, which aligns with the other reports.
Despite the consistency in the data, it is important to note that the statistics may not encompass all arrests made by ICE, as some data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was not included in the analyses. This limitation could affect the overall understanding of the situation.
Conclusion
The claim that "65% of ICE arrests during Trump's second term were of immigrants with no criminal convictions" is Partially True. While the data from multiple reputable sources supports the assertion that a significant percentage of those arrested lacked criminal convictions, the context and limitations of the data should be acknowledged. The figures reflect a trend in immigration enforcement that prioritizes non-criminal immigrants, but the complete picture may be obscured by the absence of comprehensive data from all relevant agencies.
Sources
- ICE increasingly targets undocumented migrants with no criminal conviction
- ICE Arrests Have Sharply Risen In Every State Since Trump Took Office
- Who has been arrested by ICE under Trump? - BBC
- ICE detentions of non-criminal immigrants spike; about 8% have violent ...
- 65 Percent of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93 Percent No ...