Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an average of more than 800 people without criminal records per day in July 2026, marking a record high, according to new federal data. Overall, ICE made an average of more than 1,580 arrests daily that month, also a new peak for the current administration.

July 2026 was the first month in President Trump's second term when individuals with only civil immigration violations—rather than pending criminal charges or convictions—constituted more than half of those arrested. Those convicted of violent crimes, as defined by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics, accounted for about 6% of all ICE detainees under the current administration and about 4% of those taken into custody in July.

The increase in enforcement followed a summer ramp-up after a decline caused by public backlash to a Department of Homeland Security operation in Minneapolis, a funding standoff, and changes in DHS leadership. CBS News' analysis found that cities and states with sanctuary policies experienced a 27% rise in street arrests during this period compared to the previous six months, while other areas saw a 50% increase.

White House border czar Tom Homan attributed the surge to sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from handing over detainees to ICE, forcing the agency to "flood the zone" with resources to find and arrest targets and others living illegally in the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed these views, urging state governors to enhance local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Mullin stated at a recent governors' conference, "Let's work to get the worst of the worst off the streets and then you won't see me in your cities and states like you do as much."

ICE emphasized that it enforces the law as written, targeting individuals based solely on their immigration status. The agency also noted that many counted as "non-criminals" may include terrorists, human rights abusers, and gang members who lack a U.S. criminal record.

The surge in arrests coincides with White House efforts to push ICE toward a daily arrest target of 2,000.

Sources