WASHINGTON: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 10,000 immigrants during a five-day period at the end of June, marking one of the agency’s largest recent enforcement surges. The increase underscores the Trump administration’s renewed push to expand immigration arrests and accelerate deportations.
The arrests averaged about 2,000 people each day. That pace nearly doubled ICE’s reported daily arrest rate earlier this year, according to officials familiar with the figures.
Officials said ICE shifted away from high-profile raids in major cities. Instead, officers carried out lower-profile enforcement operations nationwide, including arrests during routine immigration check-ins, traffic stops, and street encounters.
The arrest data has not been publicly released by ICE. However, multiple media outlets reported the figures after speaking with officials familiar with the agency’s operations.
Administration Expands Immigration Enforcement
The latest surge reflects the administration’s broader effort to increase deportations. Reports indicate senior officials instructed ICE to maintain a target of roughly 2,000 arrests each day.
The Department of Homeland Security said it remains focused on removing immigrants who are in the country illegally, particularly those with criminal records. Meanwhile, ICE detention numbers have climbed to about 39,000 people, up from roughly 30,000 earlier this year.
The policy shift follows criticism of earlier, highly publicized immigration raids. Officials now appear to favor less visible operations while maintaining an aggressive enforcement pace.
