Fact Check: ICE will arrest illegal immigrants who aren't criminal targets.

Fact Check: "ICE will arrest illegal immigrants who aren't criminal targets."

What We Know

Recent analyses indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increasingly targeted undocumented immigrants who do not have criminal records. A report by the Washington Post highlights that over half of those removed from the country since January 20, 2025, did not have any criminal convictions. This trend is particularly notable as the Trump administration ramped up its enforcement actions, with statistics showing that the share of detained migrants with criminal convictions has been declining. For instance, in January 2025, nearly 46% of detainees had a criminal conviction, but by June, that number had dropped to 30% (source-5).

Moreover, the Deportation Data Project, in collaboration with the UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy, has provided detailed datasets revealing that a significant portion of those arrested by ICE are non-criminals. The data indicates that approximately 60% of undocumented immigrants removed did not have a criminal conviction, while around 40% did, with many of these convictions being for nonviolent offenses (source-5).

Analysis

The claim that ICE is arresting illegal immigrants who are not criminal targets is supported by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post provides a comprehensive analysis of ICE's arrest data, showing a clear trend towards targeting non-criminal undocumented immigrants. This is corroborated by additional reports from CBS News and Reuters, which also document a spike in detentions of individuals without criminal convictions.

However, it's essential to consider the reliability of these sources. The Washington Post is a well-established news organization known for its investigative journalism, while CBS News and Reuters are also reputable outlets with a history of accurate reporting. The data from the Deportation Data Project adds an academic perspective, enhancing the credibility of the findings.

Critics of ICE's tactics argue that these policies create fear within immigrant communities and lead to a chilling effect on individuals seeking legal recourse or assistance (source-8). This criticism is echoed in various reports, suggesting that the aggressive enforcement strategies may disproportionately impact non-criminal immigrants.

Conclusion

The claim that "ICE will arrest illegal immigrants who aren't criminal targets" is True. Evidence from multiple credible sources indicates that ICE has indeed increased its focus on undocumented immigrants without criminal records, with significant data supporting this trend. The statistics reveal a marked decrease in the proportion of detained individuals with criminal convictions, aligning with the claim.

Sources

1. Protected Areas and Courthouse Arrests
2. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics | ICE
3. Criminal Alien Program
4. Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) ...
5. ICE increasingly targeting undocumented migrants with no ...
6. ICE's tactics draw criticism as it triples daily arrest targets
7. ICE detentions of non-criminal immigrants spike; about 8 ...
8. ICE Targets Immigrants at Courthouses Under New 2025 Policy