Fact Check: "The U.S. has seen a 1,400% increase in detaining immigrants without criminal records."
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. has experienced a 1,400% increase in detaining immigrants without criminal records is based on recent statistics from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to reports, as of June 2023, nearly 47% of the approximately 59,000 detainees held by ICE did not have a criminal record, which indicates a significant shift in the agency's detention practices (CBS News). This figure is notably higher than in previous years, where the focus was more on detaining individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
Historical data shows that in 2019, the percentage of non-criminal detainees was much lower, suggesting a dramatic increase in detentions of individuals without criminal records. The current detention levels represent a change in policy under the Trump administration, which expanded the criteria for detaining immigrants (CBS News).
Analysis
While the claim of a 1,400% increase is striking, it requires careful contextualization. The figure likely stems from comparing the current percentage of non-criminal detainees to a much lower baseline from previous years. For instance, if the number of non-criminal detainees was around 4,000 in earlier years, a rise to 47% of 59,000 would indeed reflect a massive increase. However, the exact percentage of non-criminal detainees in prior years is not explicitly stated in the sources, making it difficult to confirm the 1,400% figure without additional data.
Moreover, the increase in detentions of non-criminal immigrants can be attributed to policy changes that broadened the scope of who could be detained. Under the Trump administration, ICE was directed to prioritize a wider array of individuals for detention, including those without criminal convictions (CBS News, CBS News). This shift in enforcement strategy has been criticized for leading to the detention of individuals who pose no threat to public safety.
The credibility of the sources reporting this information is generally high, particularly CBS News, which is a well-established news organization. However, the interpretation of the statistics can vary, and some analyses suggest that ICE often classifies individuals with pending charges as "criminals," which could inflate the numbers (Immigration Forum).
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. has seen a 1,400% increase in detaining immigrants without criminal records is Partially True. While there is evidence of a significant increase in the detention of non-criminal immigrants, the exact percentage increase is difficult to verify without specific historical data for comparison. The shift in policy under the Trump administration has indeed led to a broader range of individuals being detained, but the claim's numerical accuracy requires more precise historical context to fully substantiate it.
