Fact Check: "ICE arrests have more than doubled in 38 states since Trump took office"
What We Know
Since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2017, data indicates that arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have significantly increased across the United States. According to a report by the New York Times, immigration arrests have more than doubled in 38 states during this period. The report highlights that the increase in arrests is part of a broader trend of intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which aimed to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants.
The data was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit and covers arrests made by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division. The report notes that in the first few months of Trump's presidency, ICE averaged 666 arrests per day, compared to fewer than 300 daily arrests in 2024, marking a substantial increase in enforcement activity (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that ICE arrests have more than doubled in 38 states since Trump took office is supported by multiple sources. The New York Times provides comprehensive data showing that arrests have increased in every state, with many states experiencing even larger surges in enforcement activity. For instance, states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi have seen some of the fastest increases in ICE enforcement relative to their immigrant populations.
The data also indicates that in 21 states and the District of Columbia, the pace of arrests has more than tripled since Trump's inauguration. This aligns with the administration's aggressive immigration policies and the directives from Trump's immigration advisers, which emphasized a significant crackdown on undocumented immigrants (BBC).
However, it is essential to consider the reliability of the sources. The New York Times is a well-established news organization known for its investigative journalism, while the BBC is also a reputable international news outlet. Both sources have reported on the increase in ICE arrests with detailed statistics and context, making them credible references for this claim.
Conclusion
The claim that "ICE arrests have more than doubled in 38 states since Trump took office" is True. The evidence presented by reputable sources such as the New York Times and the BBC confirms that there has been a significant increase in ICE arrests across the United States, particularly in states with large immigrant populations. The data clearly shows that the Trump administration's immigration policies led to a dramatic rise in enforcement activities.
