ICE arrests 10,000 in five days in late June, data shows

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 10,000 people over a five-day period at the end of June, according to information from a person familiar with the data who spoke on condition of anonymity because the figures have not been publicly released. The arrests averaged about 2,000 per day during that span.

The arrest figures come after a change in enforcement tactics. Earlier this year, the agency conducted high-profile operations in cities like Minneapolis, which drew public protests and led to the deaths of two American citizens during encounters with immigration officers. Since then, ICE has shifted to less visible enforcement methods, according to officials.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement: 'Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump’s promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. Our message is clear: if you come to our country illegally, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you.'

The spike in arrests was first reported by The New York Times. The total number of people held in ICE detention facilities also rose to roughly 39,000 in June, up from about 30,000 per month since February, according to data obtained by The Associated Press.

ICE does not routinely release arrest data, making direct comparisons with earlier periods difficult. However, data provided to the UC Berkeley Deportation Data Project shows that 2,000 arrests per day would mark a significant increase over previous months. In December, which had the highest number of ICE arrests since the start of the administration, the average was about 1,283 per day. In January, when operations were focused on Minneapolis, the average was about 1,212 per day. In February, after the Minneapolis operations, arrests fell to about 1,057 per day.

The Minneapolis operation, which involved hundreds of officers from various agencies, became a turning point. After two American citizens were killed during enforcement actions, Border Czar Tom Homan reduced the number of officers in Minnesota. The agency stepped back from large-scale, publicly visible operations that had been common under then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was later dismissed.

Noem’s successor, Markwayne Mullin, indicated he would take a lower-profile approach to immigration enforcement, aiming to keep the department out of the headlines. However, Mullin is expected to continue pursuing President Donald Trump’s immigration priorities.

The exact locations of the June arrests have not been disclosed.