Fact Check: "Trump administration's immigration sweeps target non-criminals, data reveals."
What We Know
During the Trump administration, there was a significant increase in the number of immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who had no criminal history. According to data analyzed by The Guardian, arrests of non-criminals surged by approximately 800% since the beginning of Trump's second term. Specifically, as of mid-June 2025, more than 11,700 individuals in immigration detention had no prior criminal charges or convictions, a stark contrast to the administration's claims that ICE was primarily focused on apprehending violent criminals (Reuters).
ICE officials, including Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have publicly stated that their priority is to target violent criminals. However, the data suggests that nearly a third of all individuals arrested by ICE during this period had no criminal history (The Guardian). This increase in arrests of non-criminals appears to contradict the administration's narrative, which has often conflated undocumented status with criminal behavior (The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration's immigration sweeps targeted non-criminals is supported by multiple credible sources. The data from ICE, as reported by Reuters and The Guardian, indicates a dramatic rise in the detention of individuals without any criminal record. The figures show that while the majority of those arrested still had some criminal history, the proportion of non-criminal arrests has grown significantly.
The reliability of these sources is bolstered by the fact that they are established news organizations with a history of covering immigration issues. Ted Hesson, the reporter for Reuters, specializes in immigration policy and has a solid background in journalism (Reuters). Similarly, The Guardian's analysis is based on government data that ICE is required to disclose, which adds a layer of credibility to their findings.
Critics of the data, including DHS officials, have dismissed reports from outlets like The Guardian as biased. McLaughlin specifically questioned the credibility of these sources, suggesting that the DHS's internal data should be prioritized (The Guardian). However, the consistent findings across multiple reports and the stark contrast with the administration's stated priorities lend weight to the argument that non-criminals were increasingly targeted during this period.
Conclusion
The claim that the Trump administration's immigration sweeps targeted non-criminals is True. The evidence presented from multiple reliable sources indicates a significant increase in the arrests of individuals without criminal records, contradicting the administration's public assertions that ICE was primarily focused on apprehending violent criminals. The data reflects a broader trend of enforcement practices that disproportionately affected non-criminal immigrants.
Sources
- Trump's ICE arrests non-criminals despite crime-focused message
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP
- Trump drives surge in Ice detentions of those with no criminal record despite stated priorities
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump
- Trump ; Je classe déjà l’UE comme un pays du tiers monde
- Ice arrests of migrants with no criminal history surging
- USA: US-Psychiater und Psychologen warnen vor Trump
- ICE is arresting more non-criminals than ever
