Fact Check: Approximately 185,000 immigrants were booked into ICE custody during the last months of the Biden administration and the first months of the Trump administration.

Fact Check: "Approximately 185,000 immigrants were booked into ICE custody during the last months of the Biden administration and the first months of the Trump administration."

What We Know

The claim that approximately 185,000 immigrants were booked into ICE custody during the transition period between the Biden and Trump administrations is supported by internal government data. According to a report from CNN, this figure encompasses individuals detained by both ICE agents and those detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who were subsequently placed in ICE custody. The data covers the timeframe from the last months of the Biden administration into the early months of the Trump administration, confirming that the total number of bookings reached over 185,000 during this period.

Furthermore, the NPR article discusses the broader context of ICE arrests, noting that while the Trump administration aimed for aggressive enforcement, the actual numbers did not always align with public claims. However, the specific figure of 185,000 bookings is corroborated by the internal documents referenced in the CNN report.

Analysis

The claim is substantiated by credible internal data from ICE, which is further validated by external reporting from reputable news organizations like CNN and NPR. The CNN report specifically highlights that over 185,000 immigrants were booked into ICE custody during the specified timeframe, which aligns with the claim being fact-checked.

While the NPR article provides context regarding the Trump administration's claims about arrest numbers, it does not dispute the total bookings figure. Instead, it focuses on the discrepancies between reported arrest numbers and the actual enforcement outcomes, emphasizing that the administration's public messaging often exaggerated the effectiveness of its immigration policies.

The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their established reputations in investigative journalism. CNN and NPR are known for their rigorous fact-checking and adherence to journalistic standards, making their reports credible and trustworthy.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that approximately 185,000 immigrants were booked into ICE custody during the last months of the Biden administration and the first months of the Trump administration is accurate. This figure is supported by internal ICE data and corroborated by reputable news sources, confirming that the statement reflects the reality of immigration enforcement during that transitional period.

Sources

1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
2. 100 days of record-breaking immigration enforcement in ...
3. ICE Arrests in First 50 Days of Trump Administration
4. ICE is making more arrests, but some claims don't add up - NPR
5. Less than 10% of immigrants taken into ICE custody in recent ... - CNN
6. Trump Immigrant Removals Now 10 Percent Below Biden's Record
7. Ice arrests of migrants with no criminal history surging ...
8. New ICE data shows administration isn't just arresting criminals