How ICE will dramatically expand immigrant detention in 2026

Published February 22, 2026 6:00am ET



The Trump administration is shifting into a new phase of deportation planning to expand and overhaul immigrant detention this year.

Three sources familiar with the Trump administration’s plans to deport illegal immigrants said the recent hiring of thousands of ICE officers will lead to more arrests. That means, far more detention space will quickly become necessary to hold as many people as are being taken into custody, as they navigate deportation proceedings in court and are removed from the country.

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