Internal DHS Data Shows 14 Percent of ICE Arrestees Held Violent Criminal Records

Internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records indicate that less than 14% of the nearly 400,000 individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during President Trump’s first year back in office were charged with or convicted of violent crimes. The data, covering January 21, 2025, to January 31, 2026, shows that while approximately 60% of the 393,000 total arrestees had a criminal history, the majority of these cases involved non-violent offenses. Less than 2% of those detained faced charges related to homicide or sexual assault, and roughly 2% were identified as suspected gang members.

Approximately 40% of those arrested—about 153,000 people—had no criminal record and were detained for civil immigration violations, such as overstaying visas or entering the country without authorization. This represents a significant increase in administrative arrests compared to the 113,000 recorded in fiscal year 2024. The percentage of ICE arrests involving individuals with criminal histories decreased from 72% in 2024 to nearly 60% in the current reporting period.

DHS officials disputed the interpretation of the data, stating that the "non-violent" category includes serious offenses such as drug trafficking, child pornography distribution, burglary, and human smuggling. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted that roughly 70% of those arrested have either pending criminal charges or prior convictions, arguing that the classification of these offenses as non-violent does not mitigate the potential threat to public safety. The agency also highlighted cases where individuals were arrested for violent crimes committed outside the United States, which may not be reflected in domestic criminal record statistics.