Fact Check: What is a percentage of illegal immigrants that has arrested by ice compared to good people and children

Fact Check: "What is a percentage of illegal immigrants that has been arrested by ICE compared to good people and children"

What We Know

The claim in question pertains to the percentage of illegal immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the nature of their criminal records. According to data from the TRAC Immigration and the Deportation Data Project, a significant portion of individuals detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. Specifically, as of June 2025, approximately 71.5% of ICE detainees had no criminal convictions, with 93% having no violent convictions. This indicates that the majority of those arrested do not have serious criminal backgrounds.

From January 2017 to June 2025, ICE arrested a total of 95,629 individuals, with 71.7% of them lacking any criminal record (source-4). This data suggests that the arrests predominantly involve individuals who are not classified as serious criminals, which may include many individuals who are simply undocumented immigrants without any prior offenses.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as multiple sources corroborate the statistics regarding the criminal backgrounds of ICE detainees. The TRAC Immigration report provides a clear breakdown of the detainee population, while the Deportation Data Project offers an independent analysis that aligns with these findings. Both sources emphasize the high percentage of detainees without criminal records, which challenges the narrative that ICE primarily targets dangerous criminals.

However, it's important to consider the context and potential biases of the sources. The TRAC Immigration data is derived from government statistics, which may be subject to interpretation and reporting standards. The Deportation Data Project is an independent initiative that seeks to provide transparency in immigration enforcement but may also have its own biases based on advocacy perspectives.

Moreover, the claim's phrasing—specifically the reference to "good people and children"—is subjective and lacks a clear definition. While many detainees may not have criminal records, the characterization of them as "good people" or "children" can be misleading without specific demographic data on the detainees. The Cato Institute also highlights that a significant portion of individuals taken by ICE had no convictions, reinforcing the argument that the enforcement actions may not align with public safety concerns as often portrayed.

Conclusion

The claim that a significant percentage of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE have no criminal convictions is Partially True. While the statistics indicate that a large majority of those arrested do not have serious criminal backgrounds, the framing of the claim could be seen as oversimplifying the complexities of immigration enforcement. The data supports the assertion that many detainees are not dangerous criminals, but the characterization of all detainees as "good people and children" lacks nuance and specificity.

Sources

1. Archived: ICE releases Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report
2. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
3. Immigration Detention Quick Facts
4. A Comprehensive Analysis of ICE Arrest Data from Deportation ...
5. Article: Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigr..
6. Comparing crime rates between undocumented ...
7. 65 Percent of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93 ...
8. Policy Brief | Snapshot of ICE Detention: Inhumane ...