Fact Check: ICE's daily arrest rate averaged 666, up from fewer than 300 in 2024.

Fact Check: "ICE's daily arrest rate averaged 666, up from fewer than 300 in 2024."

What We Know

The claim states that ICE's daily arrest rate has increased to an average of 666 arrests, compared to fewer than 300 arrests per day in 2024. According to a recent article from the New York Times, this assertion is supported by data indicating a significant rise in ICE arrests, with a reported average of 666 arrests per day in 2025. The article notes that this represents a 124% increase from the previous year's figures, which were reported to be below 300 daily arrests in 2024.

Further corroboration comes from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics, which detail trends in arrests and removals. However, the specific daily averages for 2024 are not directly available in the cited sources, making it challenging to verify the exact figures for that year.

Analysis

The claim is primarily supported by the New York Times article, which is a reputable source known for its investigative journalism. The article cites ICE's own statistics, which lend credibility to the assertion of increased arrest rates. However, it is essential to consider the context of these numbers. The increase in arrests could be influenced by various factors, including changes in immigration policy, enforcement priorities, and broader socio-political dynamics.

While the New York Times provides a clear narrative regarding the rise in arrests, the lack of direct access to ICE's 2024 arrest data makes it difficult to fully validate the claim about the specific average of fewer than 300 arrests per day in that year. The ICE annual report for FY 2024 does provide some statistics on total arrests but does not break them down into daily averages, which complicates the verification process.

Additionally, the ICE detention statistics offer insight into the overall enforcement landscape but do not specifically address daily arrest rates, further emphasizing the need for caution in interpreting the claim without comprehensive data.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there is credible evidence supporting the assertion that ICE's daily arrest rate has risen to an average of 666 in 2025, the claim about the average being fewer than 300 in 2024 lacks direct verification from the available sources. The absence of specific daily arrest data for 2024 means that further research is necessary to confirm the accuracy of both parts of the claim.

Fact Check: ICE's daily arrest rate averaged 666, up from fewer than 300 in 2024.