Key facts
- U.S. immigration arrests hit a record nearly 51,000 in August.
- Deportations averaged around 1,200 per day in August, similar to May levels.
- Individuals with no criminal conviction or deportation orders, and those with pending asylum claims, are increasingly being arrested.
- In July, people with criminal convictions represented less than a quarter of arrests, down from nearly 60% in December 2024.
- ICE arrested over 1,200 people following tips from TSA through early June.
- The Trump administration signed a deal to purchase six Boeing 737 planes for deportations, but they are not yet in use.
U.S. immigration arrests have surged in recent months, driven by increased cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), greater use of technology, and enhanced data sharing among federal agencies. However, this surge in arrests has not led to a proportional increase in deportations, according to preliminary U.S. government data reviewed by Reuters.
In August, immigration arrests reached a record high of nearly 51,000 for the third consecutive month. Despite this, the number of deportations remained largely steady, averaging around 1,200 per day, a figure similar to May when arrests were approximately 19,000 fewer. This disconnect is attributed to the types of individuals being targeted, with a growing number having no criminal convictions or deportation orders, and many possessing pending asylum or other legal claims that prevent immediate removal unless they voluntarily depart.
Former officials cited a lack of available flights and limitations imposed by receiving countries as further constraints on the administration's deportation goals. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis responded to Reuters' questions, stating, "This is a false narrative. Thanks to President Trump’s strong immigration enforcement policies, three million illegals have left the United States."
The nationwide crackdown has been more widespread than previous operations, with ICE officers reportedly under pressure to meet a goal of 3,000 arrests per day, a claim the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied, stating there are no quotas for arrests. ICE agents have partnered with local police for traffic stops and apprehended individuals at homes and job sites, as well as at immigration courts and routine appointments.
Data from the Deportation Data Project indicates that individuals with criminal convictions accounted for less than a quarter of arrests in July, a significant decrease from nearly 60% in December 2024. Many individuals apprehended are those who have provided personal information to the government while seeking legal status, including those with asylum claims or those whose temporary legal status has been revoked. These individuals often have active cases and may have established roots in the U.S., making them more likely to find legal representation.
ICE has also targeted individuals who have overstayed visas, even if they subsequently applied for asylum or married a U.S. citizen, with over 1,200 such arrests occurring through early June following tips from the Transportation Security Administration. The report highlights the case of Dolores Mendoza and Roberto Avalos, a couple who entered on tourist visas in 2015, stayed to care for their grandchildren, and were detained upon returning from a trip, despite having no criminal record and pending petitions for permanent residency.
Logistical challenges also hinder deportations. Some individuals, like Yajaira Moran, who has been detained for five months despite a pending crime victim visa claim, have given up and requested voluntary departure. Even when individuals are eligible for deportation, coordinating with receiving countries and arranging transfers across detention centers is complex. Former officials noted that the actual number of available deportation flights has historically been a bottleneck, and while the Trump administration purchased six Boeing 737 planes, they are still undergoing FAA checks. Existing planes often fly below capacity due to logistical, legal, and diplomatic issues, or because receiving countries limit intake.