Fact Check: "Over 59,000 individuals are currently detained by ICE, an all-time high."
What We Know
The claim states that over 59,000 individuals are currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), asserting that this figure represents an all-time high. However, recent data indicates that as of May 18, 2025, ICE was holding 48,870 individuals in detention, not 59,000 as claimed (TRAC). Furthermore, historical data shows that ICE's detention numbers have fluctuated over the years, with the highest recorded number being approximately 55,000 in 2019 (ICE Statistics).
Analysis
The claim of 59,000 detainees appears to be exaggerated based on the most recent statistics available. The data from TRAC indicates that the number of individuals in ICE detention has not surpassed 50,000 as of mid-May 2025 (TRAC). Additionally, the highest monthly book-ins for ICE in recent years have not reached the levels suggested by the claim. For instance, the highest number of initial book-ins recorded in a single month during FY 2025 was 22,822 in April 2025 (TRAC).
Moreover, the claim lacks context regarding the historical trends of ICE detentions. The numbers have varied significantly, and while there have been periods of increased detentions, the current figure does not support the assertion of an all-time high. The reliability of the sources used to make this claim is questionable, as they do not provide verifiable data or reference official statistics from ICE or other reputable organizations.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that over 59,000 individuals are currently detained by ICE is incorrect. The most recent data indicates that the actual number of detainees is approximately 48,870, which is significantly lower than the claim. Furthermore, this figure does not represent an all-time high in ICE's detention history.
