ICE arrests show 41-42% have no criminal records despite Trump administration focus claims
Apr 3, 2026·Location: MN

Data from the Deportation Data Project reveals that approximately 41-42 percent of migrants arrested by ICE between January 24 and March 10, 2026 had no criminal records, contradicting Trump administration claims of targeting criminals and public safety threats. The enforcement operations followed deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota. Despite statements about a more targeted approach, ICE maintained high arrest volumes averaging 7,000 weekly during the six-week period—down from 9,000 in January but still primarily affecting people without criminal histories. The administration's goal of 3,000 daily ICE arrests remained unmet, with actual rates around 933 arrests per day.
Timeline
Sources
- ICE holding a record 59,000 immigrant detainees, nearly half with no criminal record, internal data show
- Nearly half of migrants arrested by ICE recently have no criminal records
independent.co.uk·Apr 3, 2026·archived copy
- Nearly half of migrants recently arrested by ICE have no criminal records despite Trump team’s claims of tactic shift
ca.news.yahoo.com·Apr 3, 2026·archived copy
- aol.com
- Despite signaling change, ICE still arrests many immigrants with no record
- detroitnews.com
- css.washingtonpost.com
- The Deportation Industrial Complex: Arrests and Detentions by the Numbers
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