Fact Check: ICE typically deports most people in custody facing criminal charges.

Fact Check: "ICE typically deports most people in custody facing criminal charges."

What We Know

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and has the authority to detain and deport individuals who are in the country unlawfully. According to ICE statistics, a significant portion of those arrested by ICE have criminal records, including serious offenses such as assaults and weapon-related charges. For instance, a report indicated that during a specific enforcement period, arrests included individuals with convictions for 9,639 assaults and 1,479 weapon offenses (ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics, ICE News Release).

However, the data also shows that not all individuals detained by ICE are facing criminal charges; some may be detained solely for immigration violations. A report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) highlighted that a substantial number of detainees had no criminal convictions at all (TRAC Immigration Detention Quick Facts).

Analysis

The claim that "ICE typically deports most people in custody facing criminal charges" requires careful evaluation. While it is true that many individuals arrested by ICE have criminal records, the term "typically" suggests a norm that may not accurately reflect the entire picture.

ICE's own statistics indicate that a considerable number of detainees are held for immigration-related issues rather than criminal charges (ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics). Furthermore, the TRAC report shows that as of mid-2025, a significant proportion of detainees—40,433 out of 56,397—were not charged with any crime, which complicates the assertion that most individuals facing criminal charges are deported (TRAC Immigration Detention Quick Facts).

Additionally, the reliability of the sources must be considered. ICE is a government agency, and while its statistics are official, they may be subject to interpretation and political context. The TRAC is an independent research organization that provides data on immigration enforcement, making its findings valuable for an objective assessment.

Overall, while there is evidence that ICE deports individuals with criminal records, the assertion that this applies to "most people" in custody is not fully supported by the available data.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that "ICE typically deports most people in custody facing criminal charges" is not definitively supported by the evidence. While many detainees have criminal histories, a significant number are held for immigration violations without any criminal charges. Further research is needed to clarify the specifics of ICE's deportation practices and the demographics of those detained.