Fact Check: As of June 2025, ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities throughout the country, which is a record high.

Fact Check: "As of June 2025, ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities throughout the country, which is a record high."

What We Know

As of June 2025, the number of individuals in ICE detention facilities has been reported to be over 50,000, with some sources indicating a significant increase in the detention population. For instance, a report from June 5, 2025, mentions that the federal government is holding more than 48,000 people in immigration detention, which reflects a 20% increase since January of the same year (NPR). Another source notes that June 2025 has seen over 50,000 immigrants in ICE detention, marking it as the highest monthly total in over a decade (Shan Potts Law). However, there is no definitive evidence from the available data that confirms the claim of over 56,000 individuals being held at that time.

Analysis

The claim that ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in June 2025 lacks direct support from the most credible sources. While the reports indicate that the numbers are indeed high, with mentions of over 50,000 detainees (NPR, Shan Potts Law), they do not provide confirmation of the figure exceeding 56,000.

Additionally, the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics (ICE) and the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) provide data on detention statistics but do not explicitly state that the number surpassed 56,000 in June 2025. The data available from these sources is often subject to updates and may not reflect real-time figures, which complicates the verification of the claim.

Moreover, while some reports mention that the detention population has reached record highs in previous years (ICE), it is crucial to differentiate between historical data and current statistics. The context of "record high" can vary based on the timeframe considered.

The sources cited, including news articles and official statistics, generally have varying degrees of reliability. Reports from NPR, for instance, are typically well-researched and provide context, but they may also reflect editorial choices that could influence the presentation of facts (NPR, NPR). The Shan Potts Law article, while informative, is a legal blog and may have a specific perspective that could introduce bias.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim that ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities as of June 2025 cannot be substantiated with the available data. While there is evidence of a significant increase in the number of detainees, the specific figure of 56,000 remains unverified. Further research and more definitive data from ICE or related governmental sources would be necessary to confirm or refute this claim.

Sources

1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
2. ICE Detentions | OHSS - Office of Homeland Security Statistics
3. Detention Management
4. ERO FY 2019 Achievements
5. Southwest Land Border Encounters FY22
6. ICE detention: Recorded calls about overcrowding, lack of ...
7. Private prisons and local jails are ramping up as ICE detention exceeds ...
8. NEWS ALERT! June 2025 Sees Over 50,000 in ICE Detention — Your Rights ...