New data shows a shift in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, with a growing number of migrants being arrested despite having no criminal history.
Fewer Criminals, More Civil Violations
While President Trump initially campaigned on deporting criminals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data reveals that by late May 2025, 44% of those arrested had no criminal convictions, up from 23% earlier in the year. The share of those with criminal convictions dropped to 30%.
Experts Question Focus
“It looks like there’s been a shift… to an increasing number of people who have been detained who have no criminal charges,” said Syracuse University professor Austin Kocher told ABC News. He and other experts argue the data doesn’t support claims that ICE is only going after “the worst of the worst.”
ICE Raids Target Interior Cities
Most arrests now happen away from the border, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and New York, where up to 60% of those detained recently had no criminal convictions or pending charges. ICE has also been arresting migrants at immigration courts immediately after their cases are dismissed, placing them into fast-track deportation proceedings.
DHS and Trump Officials Defend Strategy
Despite the shift, officials maintain that criminals remain the priority.
“We are continuing to go after the worst of the worst,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She stated that 70% of ICE’s arrests are of “criminal illegal aliens,” though the data shows a growing number of arrests involve civil immigration violators.
Critics Cite Political Pressure and Quotas
Former ICE director John Sandweg said the administration is pushing ICE to meet deportation goals, even if it means targeting non-criminals.
“Now you are engaged in operations that are, frankly, more likely to find non-criminals than criminals,” he said.
Court Arrests Raise Alarm
Immigration advocates warn that courthouse arrests contradict claims of public safety.
“If there’s anything that says this isn’t about serious criminal enforcement, it’s this wholesale dismissal of cases of the people who are showing up in immigration court,” Sandweg added.
Criminal Arrests Continue Alongside Shift
Attorney General Pam Bondi said authorities have arrested over 2,700 alleged gang members since January.
She emphasized Trump’s authority, stating, “Not one district court judge can think they’re emperor over this Trump administration.”
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