The latest ICE arrests and deportations data reveals a sharp increase in enforcement actions under the Trump administration. Since taking office, the administration has reshaped immigration enforcement across the country, and The Guardian has been tracking the numbers released every two weeks by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Understanding the Data: Arrests, Detentions, and Deportations
ICE publishes detention statistics for the current fiscal year every two weeks. The Guardian has archived each release since January 2025 and received older data from the Vera Institute for Justice. By scraping and comparing totals, we calculated the number of people arrested, detained, and deported during each reporting period. Note that these figures do not have a direct one-to-one connection—people can be arrested but not booked into detention, and deported without first being booked into detention.
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Key Metrics: How Enforcement Has Changed
The table below compares the average weekly numbers for the first six months of the fiscal year before and after the policy shift.
| Metric | Pre-2025 (Weekly Avg) | Post-2025 (Weekly Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 1,200 | 2,800 |
| Detentions | 15,000 | 22,000 |
| Deportations | 800 | 1,900 |
Key Takeaways from the Latest ICE Report
- Arrests increased by more than 130% compared to the previous fiscal year.
- Detention capacity has been expanded, with daily counts exceeding 22,000.
- Deportations have more than doubled, targeting both recent arrivals and long-term residents.
- The data shows a shift toward interior enforcement rather than just border arrests.
Implications for Businesses and Communities
These enforcement changes affect labor markets, local economies, and community trust. Employers in sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality are facing workforce shortages as deportations rise. Meanwhile, advocacy groups highlight the humanitarian impact of increased detentions.
FAQ
How often does ICE release arrest and deportation data?
ICE typically publishes detention management statistics every two weeks during the fiscal year. However, after the government shutdown in late 2025, the release frequency changed, causing small errors in earlier annotations.
Are the arrest numbers accurate?
Arrest figures may be an undercount because ICE only reports arrests that result in someone entering ICE detention. The data comes from the ICE Initial Book-Ins by Arresting Agency and Month table.
What is the difference between arrests, detentions, and deportations?
Arrests refer to individuals taken into custody by ICE. Detentions are those held in ICE facilities or contracted jails. Deportations are formal removals from the country. Not all arrested individuals are detained, and not all detained individuals are deported.
Why did The Guardian start tracking this data?
The Guardian began archiving ICE data since January 2025 to provide transparent, independent analysis of the administration's mass deportation campaign. The data helps the public understand the scale and speed of enforcement changes.
For the most recent updates, bookmark this page or follow our ongoing coverage of ICE arrests, detentions, and deportations. The numbers continue to evolve, and we will update the analysis as new releases become available.