Who is ICE arresting? Data show 66% of illegal immigrants have criminal histories

Published August 4, 2025 5:00am ET



EXCLUSIVE — The Trump administration has come under fire in recent weeks for appearing to target noncriminals who are in the United States illegally, but internal government data shared with the Washington Examiner revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still apprehending primarily people with criminal histories.

Since January, ICE has taken nearly 150,000 people into federal custody — 100,000 of whom either had pending criminal charges filed against them or had been previously convicted of a crime, according to ICE. About 67% of illegal immigrants arrested had a criminal charge pending or had been convicted.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.