Fact Check: ICE targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of their contributions.

Fact Check: "ICE targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of their contributions."

What We Know

The claim that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of their contributions, is supported by multiple sources. A recent analysis by the Washington Post indicates that more than half of the individuals removed from the U.S. since January 20, 2025, did not have any criminal convictions. This trend reflects a broader strategy under the Trump administration, which has emphasized aggressive immigration enforcement, including targeting undocumented immigrants without criminal records.

Further data from the New York Times highlights that ICE has ramped up its operations significantly, responding to demands from the White House for increased arrests of unauthorized immigrants. This has included workplace raids and a push for ICE agents to work seven days a week to meet arrest goals. The article notes that the agency is under pressure to fulfill President Trump's promise of mass deportations, which has led to a broader net being cast for arrests, including individuals without criminal backgrounds.

Analysis

The evidence presented in the sources strongly supports the claim. The Washington Post analysis reveals that as arrests have increased, the percentage of detained migrants with criminal convictions has decreased, indicating a shift in focus towards individuals who may not pose a direct threat to public safety. This is corroborated by statements from ICE officials, such as Thomas Homan, who indicated that the agency would not exclude anyone living in the country illegally from enforcement actions, saying, "if you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table" (source-5).

However, it is important to consider the reliability and potential biases of the sources. The Washington Post and New York Times are established news organizations known for their investigative journalism, which lends credibility to their analyses. The data they reference comes from official ICE statistics and reports, although it is worth noting that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ceased publishing certain monthly data, which could limit comprehensive oversight of ICE's activities (source-4).

Critics of ICE's tactics have raised concerns about the implications of such broad enforcement strategies, suggesting that they create an atmosphere of fear within immigrant communities and may lead to wrongful detentions (source-6). This criticism is echoed by former officials who warn that the pressure to meet arrest quotas could result in mistakes regarding individuals' immigration statuses (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that ICE targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of their contributions, is True. The evidence indicates that a significant portion of those arrested by ICE do not have criminal records, and the agency's current enforcement strategies reflect a broader mandate to increase arrests, irrespective of individuals' contributions to society. The analysis of data and statements from officials supports this conclusion, highlighting a shift in ICE's focus under the current administration.

Fact Check: ICE targets individuals living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of their contributions.