Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have seen a substantial increase under the Trump administration compared to the same period last year during the Biden administration. Department of Homeland Security data reveals a significant rise in arrests between January 20th and February 8th of this year. ICE has apprehended 11,791 individuals, a 137% jump from the 4,969 arrests made during the corresponding timeframe in 2024.

This surge is particularly noticeable in arrests of individuals with criminal records. The number has nearly doubled, rising from 4,526 in early 2024 to 8,993 this year. Similarly, arrests of fugitive aliens have witnessed a dramatic 156% increase, from 2,164 to 5,538. Even arrests of criminal aliens already held in local jails have seen a significant uptick of 59%.

ICE and DEA conduct migrant raids in NYC (Drug Enforcement Administration New York)

Furthermore, arrests of suspected gang members have more than doubled, increasing by 105% from 210 in 2024 to 430 under the current administration. This includes members of dangerous groups like the Tren de Aragua. This data underscores the Trump administration's intensified efforts to increase arrests and deportations of illegal immigrants by empowering ICE agents.

The administration's focus remains on apprehending dangerous criminals and gang members, although they maintain that no one is exempt from enforcement efforts. ICE operations are being conducted nationwide, including in sanctuary cities. To address capacity issues, the administration has begun using federal prisons to house detainees and is utilizing Guantánamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 individuals. Legal action has also been initiated against sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago.

These actions follow a series of initial moves by the Trump administration, including declaring a national emergency at the border, restarting border wall construction, and ending Biden-era parole policies. The Department of Homeland Security has lifted restrictions on ICE agents operating in "sensitive locations" and has terminated Temporary Protected Status for some Venezuelan nationals.

Thomas Homan speaks at the National Conservative Conference in Washington D.C. (DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Recent data also suggests these policies are impacting border security. The daily average of known "gotaways" – individuals who illegally enter the U.S. undetected – has dropped significantly since early February, decreasing by 93% from the peak numbers during the Biden administration.