The number of immigration detainees without criminal records who are held in federal detention centers after getting arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased by over 2,000% since the start of the second Trump administration in January, according to official government data.
The statistics, published online by ICE as part of a transparency requirement mandated by Congress, illustrate the wide-ranging scope of Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
On Nov. 16, the government figures show, ICE was holding 65,135 people in detention facilities throughout the U.S., the highest level ever publicly reported by the agency, which was created in 2003 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. CBS News first reported the record detention levels earlier this month, citing internal data.
The official figures indicate that 30,986 – or 48% — of the ICE detainees in custody as of Nov. 16 lacked any criminal charges or convictions in the U.S. and were being held solely because of civil violations of U.S. immigration law. ICE calls them “immigration violators.”
I mean it’s so obvious… is anyone else unaware that raising the goal for quantity is how you lower quality. Organized criminals are… well organized and hard to find. Finding one big cartel leader is considerably harder than scooping up 100 people showing up for their scheduled appointment with immigration court.
I was told they’re only going after criminals
