Fact Check: In June 2025, ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities, which is a record high.

Fact Check: "In June 2025, ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities, which is a record high."

What We Know

As of June 2025, reports indicate that the number of individuals held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities has indeed increased significantly. According to a NPR article, ICE was holding more than 48,000 individuals, which represented a 20% increase since January of that year. However, other sources, such as a CBS News report, confirm that the number of detainees reached over 56,000, marking it as a record high. This figure is corroborated by data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), which indicates that as of June 1, 2025, there were 51,302 individuals in ICE detention, with a significant portion lacking criminal records (TRAC).

Analysis

The claim that ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in June 2025 is supported by multiple credible sources. The CBS News report explicitly states that this number was indeed a record high. However, it is essential to note that the context of these figures is crucial. The NPR article highlights that the increase in detainees has led to facilities operating beyond their intended capacity, which raises concerns about the conditions within these facilities.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, with NPR and CBS being established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The TRAC data is also credible, as it is a research organization that specializes in immigration-related statistics. However, the claim's context—whether the number is indeed the highest ever recorded—requires careful consideration of historical data.

For instance, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICE detention numbers had exceeded 56,000, peaking at over 60,000 in 2019 (TRAC). Therefore, while the June 2025 figure is a record high for the current administration, it is not necessarily the highest in the history of ICE detention.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "In June 2025, ICE was holding more than 56,000 individuals in detention facilities, which is a record high" is misleading. While it is true that the number exceeded 56,000, the context of historical data shows that this is not the highest number ever recorded in ICE detention history. Previous peaks have surpassed this figure, particularly before the pandemic. Therefore, the assertion lacks the necessary context to be considered entirely accurate.

Sources

1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
2. Private prisons and local jails are ramping up as ICE detention exceeds ...
3. Trump Shifts Deportation Focus, Pausing Most Raids on ...
4. Immigrant Detention For Profit Faces Resistance After Big ...
5. ICE directed to pause immigration arrests at farms, hotels and ...
6. News from TRAC