Fact Check: "Most immigrants deported are not criminals"
What We Know
Recent data indicates that a significant portion of immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) do not have criminal convictions. According to the Deportation Data Project, about half of the individuals in ICE detention—approximately 30,000 people—are without any criminal record. This trend has been particularly pronounced in recent months, with reports showing that the number of non-criminal detainees has nearly doubled since May 2025.
Moreover, a CBS News analysis corroborates this finding, stating that more than half of those detained under the Trump administration lack criminal convictions. The same report highlights that only about 8% of detainees had been convicted of violent crimes, suggesting that the majority of those deported are not violent offenders.
Additionally, the Miami Herald notes that being an undocumented immigrant is classified as a civil offense rather than a criminal one, unless the individual has previously been deported and re-entered the U.S. illegally.
Analysis
The claim that "most immigrants deported are not criminals" is supported by multiple reputable sources, including NPR, CBS News, and the Deportation Data Project. These sources provide consistent data showing that a substantial number of individuals detained by ICE do not have criminal records.
The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their methodologies. The Deportation Data Project, for instance, is a collaboration of academics and lawyers who collect and publish immigration data, often through Freedom of Information Act requests. This lends credibility to their findings, as they are based on official data rather than anecdotal evidence.
However, it is important to note that while the majority of detainees may not have criminal convictions, the Trump administration has emphasized a focus on deporting criminals. This narrative has been challenged by the data, which shows a significant number of non-criminal arrests and detentions, contradicting the administration's claims of targeting only serious offenders. The Mother Jones article highlights that the rhetoric surrounding deportations does not align with the reality of who is being detained.
The analysis of the data also reveals a shift in enforcement priorities. As reported by CBS News, the number of detentions of individuals facing only civil immigration charges surged by over 250% in a short period, indicating a broader approach to immigration enforcement that includes many non-criminal individuals.
Conclusion
The claim that "most immigrants deported are not criminals" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources consistently shows that a significant percentage of those detained by ICE lack criminal convictions. This contradicts the narrative often presented by government officials that emphasizes a focus on deporting violent criminals. The data indicates a broader enforcement strategy that includes many individuals who are in the U.S. without legal status but have not committed crimes.
Sources
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics | ICE
- Most growth in ICE detention population immigrants with no ...
- ICE detentions of non-criminal immigrants spike; about 8% ...
- Trump Is Not Deporting Only “Criminals” - Mother Jones
- Trump deports many immigrants with no criminal records ...
- Data contradicts Trump: Migrant detentions and deportations ...
- Data: Majority of undocumented immigrants ICE detained have ...