Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nearly 50,000 migrants in July, marking the highest monthly total during the current administration and a 70 percent increase since February. Data provided to the University of California, Berkeley, shows that 49,571 arrests were made, a 15 percent jump from the 43,021 arrests in June.
Texas and Florida accounted for nearly 20,000 of these detentions. In the month preceding the current administration's term, ICE arrests averaged around 8,000, according to PBS News.
The agency attributes the surge in arrests to a recruitment drive that has expanded its workforce to approximately 29,000 employees in June, up from 21,000 at the start of the administration. Additionally, ICE has rapidly expanded a program that deputizes local police to make immigration arrests, with these partnerships now accounting for roughly 14 percent of nationwide ICE arrests. Florida has reported 15,000 arrests through this program, while Texas stated that local officers made an additional 10,000 arrests on behalf of ICE. In smaller states, such as Wyoming and West Virginia, these partnerships represent over half of all ICE arrests.
Arrest numbers have doubled in New Mexico and New Jersey, both of which passed laws earlier this year restricting state officials' cooperation with ICE. Similarly, arrests have doubled in sparsely populated states like Vermont and Montana.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had previously stated his intention to shift the administration's focus to deporting individuals with criminal records. However, according to the latest data, the majority of immigrants arrested in July had no criminal charge or conviction, and fewer than 4 percent had a past violent conviction.
Mullin has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Conservatives, including former Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, have accused him of not being stringent enough on immigration enforcement. Right-wing figures have also criticized his remarks suggesting that immigrants do not universally steal American jobs.
The increase in ICE arrests occurs as the Border Patrol has reported fewer than 10,000 encounters per month at the southwestern border since February 2025. These figures represent the lowest totals recorded in more than 25 years of available monthly data, according to the Pew Research Center.
The agency has experienced some internal disruptions, with the official in charge of publishing immigration arrest and deportation data resigning in late July. The office responsible for this data has also reportedly been downsized under the current administration. ICE did not release detention or deportation figures between April 9 and July 24, missing multiple semimonthly reports.
Immigration remains a significant issue for Republicans heading into midterm elections, though recent polling indicates a decline in public approval for the administration's handling of the issue. An August Economist/YouGov poll found 53 percent disapproval on immigration, a net rating of minus 13, down from a positive 11 at the start of the administration. A separate AP survey placed approval at 39 percent and disapproval at 58 percent.