Increase in Detainees at ICE Without Criminal Backgrounds: A Notable Surge
In the realm of immigration policy, the Trump administration has remained tight-lipped about its current priorities and policies, leaving many questioning the focus of its approach.
Recent data indicates that approximately half of the estimated 56,000 individuals currently being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention lack criminal records. As of June 2025, ICE is detaining around 59,000 immigrant detainees, with nearly half (47%) not having a criminal record, according to the most recent information. Earlier data from the Cato Institute showed that about 65% of people booked into ICE detention since October 1, 2024, had no criminal convictions.
Based on these figures, it's estimated that around 27,530 to 30,670 immigrants without criminal records could be in ICE detention. However, precise numbers might vary depending on the source and date of the data.
The focus of the Trump administration on criminal immigrants has been a contentious issue. While the administration states that the focus is on violent criminals, there have been mentions of collateral arrests and detention for being in the U.S. without papers. UCLA professor Graeme Blair, one of the directors of the Deportation Data Project, stated that the data does not support the claim that the Trump administration is focusing on arresting the "worst of the worst."
The most common criminal conviction among those in detention is traffic violations. This revelation has sparked debate, with some arguing that non-violent offenders should not be a priority for detention and deportation.
The Ambrocio family, a community in the U.S., experienced this firsthand when their neighbour, Pastor Maurilio Ambrocio, who had lived in the U.S. without papers for 30 years, no criminal record, and a stay of removal, was arrested, placed in detention, and subsequently deported. This incident has left Greg Johns, a neighbour who voted for President Trump, feeling uncomfortable about the current immigration situation. He expressed his discomfort, stating, "You're going to take, you know, a community leader, a pastor, a hard-working man. What - did you need a number that day?"
The Trump administration's stance on immigration has seen a shift in public opinion. A recent poll by NPR, PBS News, and Marist shows that 52% of Americans now disapprove of how President Trump is handling immigration. Last year, a Gallup poll found that 55% of Americans wanted less immigration.
Despite the growing disapproval, the Trump administration has been pushing to detain more people, with a goal of 3,000 arrests a day. This push was evident in the ICE raids in Los Angeles, which marked a turning point, with more people without criminal records being arrested.
As the election approaches, the immigration issue continues to be a hot topic, with many Americans expressing concern about the focus on criminal records and the impact on communities like the Ambrocio family.
- The ongoing debate within the community centers around the Trump administration's focus on immigration, specifically the high number of individuals without criminal records being detained and deported, as evidenced by the case of Pastor Maurilio Ambrocio.
- The recent news about the increased detention of immigrants without criminal records, such as in the ICE raids in Los Angeles, has raised concerns among Americans, potentially influencing their policy-and-legislation preferences and general-news opinions toward the administration's approach during the upcoming elections.
