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

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

What We Know

As of early June 2025, reports indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was holding more than 48,000 individuals in detention facilities, marking a significant increase from earlier in the year, but not reaching the claimed figure of 56,000. According to NPR, the number of detainees had risen by about 20% since January 2025, yet it remained below the alleged record high of 56,000 individuals (NPR). Furthermore, historical data shows that the peak number of ICE detainees was indeed over 56,000, but this peak occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and numbers have fluctuated significantly since then (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in June 2025 is not supported by the most recent data available. The cited figure of 56,000 appears to be a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the current statistics. While ICE operations have expanded and detention numbers have increased, the actual count reported was approximately 48,000 (NPR).

Additionally, the reliability of the sources reporting these figures is crucial. NPR has a reputation for thorough investigative journalism and often provides context and background to its reports. The data from ICE itself, as referenced in their statistics page, is also a reliable source for understanding detention numbers (ICE). However, the claim of 56,000 detainees seems to stem from a miscommunication or misreporting, as other sources, including NPR, have not corroborated this figure (Reuters).

Moreover, the context provided by various reports indicates that while ICE has been under pressure to increase detention capacity, the actual numbers have not reached the levels claimed. This discrepancy suggests that the claim may be based on outdated or incorrect information.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The assertion that ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities as of June 2025 is inaccurate. Current reports indicate that the number of detainees was approximately 48,000, which is significantly lower than the claim. The claim appears to be based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the data regarding ICE's detention numbers.

Sources

1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
2. Private prisons and local jails are ramping up as ICE detention exceeds ...
3. ICE detention: Recorded calls about overcrowding, lack of ...
4. Immigrant Detention For Profit Faces Resistance After Big ...
5. ICE's tactics draw criticism as it triples daily arrest targets
6. ICE directed to pause immigration arrests at farms, hotels and ...