U.S. immigration enforcement reached unprecedented levels in 2025. The number of people arrested and detained soared during the first months of the year. This surge followed a swift change in federal policy under the Trump administration .
Records show the scale of enforcement expanded quickly. In February 2025 alone, more people were arrested than in any single month over the previous seven years . By June, the number of immigrants held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention hit a historic high. Officials held over 59,000 individuals in custody .
The demographics of those detained have shifted notably. Nearly half of the detained population—approximately 49%—had no prior criminal convictions as of mid-2025 . Independent analysis from July 2025 places that figure even higher. It showed 71.1% of detainees had no criminal record . Many are asylum seekers or people facing civil immigration violations.
Policy Reversal Drives Enforcement Surge
The rapid increase stems from a direct reversal of prior policy. One of President Donald Trump's first actions was rolling back a Biden-era enforcement memo. That memo had directed agents to prioritize arrests of national security and public safety threats. The new policy states that anyone in the U.S. without legal status is subject to arrest and removal .
Administration officials defend the approach as necessary for public safety. In a statement marking its first 100 days, ICE reported arresting 66,463 people. The agency said three out of four arrests involved "criminal illegal aliens" . Arrest records included charges or convictions for thousands of assaults, weapon offenses, and drunk driving incidents .
However, researchers note the data reveals a broader net. The share of detained immigrants with no criminal conviction or pending charge rose sharply. It increased by 221% between mid-January and early February 2025 . An immigration attorney said the goal appears to be maximizing daily arrest numbers. This approach leaves less room for thoughtful case evaluation .
ICE arrests are increasingly carried out through high-visibility operations. A campaign of raids began in Los Angeles in the summer of 2025. Tactics then spread to other U.S. cities . Agents conducted raids at workplaces, shopping areas, and other public locations. They targeted places where Latino people commonly work or gather .
Videos and witness accounts describe aggressive tactics. Agents often arrive in unmarked vehicles and wear masks or civilian clothes. They sometimes carry military-style weapons . In one Los Angeles raid at a clothing company, dozens of workers were detained. Family members reported those arrested were shackled for hours and denied food, water, or toilet access .
The federal government is also expanding its reach through local police. The administration has signed hundreds of new agreements under the 287(g) program. This program allows state and local officers to perform some immigration enforcement functions . More than 226 new agreements were approved in early 2025 alone . ICE calls these partnerships a "force multiplier" .
The enforcement push has created fear and instability in immigrant communities. People report changing daily routines to avoid detection. Some now avoid public spaces, miss work, or skip medical appointments . In Washington D.C., a city council member said daycares are afraid to take children to parks. They fear staff could be picked up by ICE .
Families experience direct financial and emotional harm. When a primary earner is detained, households can face crisis. They struggle to pay for basic needs, childcare, or care for relatives with disabilities . The enforcement focus also impacts local economies. Some restaurants report being short-staffed after workers were arrested .
Legal experts express concern about enforcement methods. They note that in some operations, agents seem to detain people based on perceived race or ethnicity. This happens especially when they target specific locations or occupations . A federal court in Los Angeles temporarily restricted such stops. The Supreme Court later suspended that order, giving ICE more latitude .
The ramp-up in immigration detention occurs alongside a national decrease in crime. A mid-2025 study of 42 cities found reported crime for 11 of 13 offense types was lower than in early 2024 .
Homicides showed a significant drop. The homicide rate in the studied cities was 17% lower in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. This represents 327 fewer killings . Aggravated assaults fell by 10%, and gun assaults decreased by 21% .
Property crimes also declined. Motor vehicle theft, which had risen sharply in recent years, fell by 25% . These trends continue a longer-term return toward pre-pandemic crime levels .
Research indicates immigrants do not commit more crime than native-born Americans. Data suggests non-citizens account for a very small share of people in jail .
A unique enforcement experiment unfolded in Washington D.C. in August 2025. The Trump administration surged federal agents and National Guard troops into the city. The stated goal was to combat crime and illegal immigration .
Available crime data shows a decline during the operation. In the first three weeks, reported violent crime fell 10% from the prior period. Property crime fell by 25% . A separate analysis found violent crime dropped by almost half compared to the same period in 2024 .
The operation led to thousands of arrests. A White House official said over 2,000 arrests were made. This included gang members and undocumented immigrants . The arrest pace was similar to previous years, however. Police data shows about 1,071 arrests in the same period in 2024 .
The surge came with significant economic and social costs. Tourism suffered. Museums reported steep drops in visitors, and restaurant reservations declined . The court system also faced new strain from the increase in cases .
As enforcement continues, several challenges are emerging. The court system is feeling pressure from the increase in arrests. A federal judge in D.C. criticized prosecutors for what he called "catch-and-release arrests." He said these detain presumed-innocent people for days .
Immigration attorneys report a lack of predictability for their clients. Under the previous administration, clearer priorities allowed them to assess risk. The current broad mandate makes it harder to know who might be targeted .
ICE arrests and detention capacity also face logistical limits. By February, the Department of Homeland Security announced its immigration detention system was filled to capacity . The agency is actively seeking to expand the number of detention facilities .
The administration has signaled its intent to continue and even expand its approach. President Trump has called the Washington D.C. operation a success. He has floated the idea of sending the National Guard to other major cities like Chicago .