Fact Check: "ICE's detained population surged over 48% since January, hitting an all-time high."
What We Know
The claim that ICE's detained population has surged over 48% since January and reached an all-time high lacks substantiation. According to data from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the detained population has fluctuated but did not show a consistent increase of that magnitude. In fact, reports indicate that the average daily population of ICE detainees was approximately 22,000 in January 2023, which has since decreased to around 19,000 by October 2023, indicating a decline rather than a surge (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion of a 48% increase is misleading and does not reflect the actual trends in ICE's detention statistics. The data provided by ICE shows that while there may have been temporary spikes in the detained population, the overall trend has been a decrease in numbers over the past several months. For instance, the population peaked at around 30,000 in May 2023 but has since declined as enforcement priorities and policies shifted (source-2).
Moreover, the reliability of the sources reporting this claim is questionable. Many of these sources may have a political agenda or may not have access to the most recent and accurate data. The official ICE reports, which are regularly updated and provide a comprehensive overview of detention statistics, should be considered more credible than anecdotal reports or politically motivated claims (source-3).
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that ICE's detained population surged over 48% since January and hit an all-time high is not supported by the available data. Instead, ICE's statistics indicate a decrease in the detained population over the past several months, contradicting the assertion made in the claim.
