Less than 14% of Immigrants Arrested by ICE in Trump’s First Year Back Had Violent Criminal Records, DHS Document Reveals
Less than 14% of the nearly 400,000 immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during President Trump’s first year back in the White House had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses, according to an internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document obtained by CBS News.
The data, which covers the period from January 21, 2025, to January 31, 2026, offers a detailed look at the demographics of those detained during the administration’s intensified deportation operations. While the White House has frequently asserted that its immigration enforcement strategy prioritizes “the worst of the worst”—specifically targeting murderers, rapists, and gang members—the internal statistics present a contrasting reality regarding the criminality of those apprehended.
Out of approximately 393,000 total arrests made during this period, the document indicates that the vast majority of individuals did not have records for violent crimes. Specifically, less than 2% of those taken into custody had charges or convictions related to homicide, and similarly, less than 2% had records involving sexual assault. The data lists approximately 2,100 arrests involving homicide charges or convictions and roughly 5,400 involving sexual assault offenses. Additionally, only about 2% of arrestees were identified as gang members.
The internal records show that nearly 40% of all individuals arrested by ICE during this timeframe had no criminal record whatsoever. These individuals were detained solely for civil immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa or crossing the border without authorization. This group constitutes a significant portion of the “administrative arrests” detailed in the report.
Among the approximately 60% of arrestees who did have some form of criminal history, the offenses were often non-violent. The document categorizes roughly 30,000 arrests as involving individuals charged with or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). Another 22,600 individuals had records involving dangerous drugs, while approximately 5,000 had burglary charges or convictions.
The release of these figures comes amidst ongoing public debate regarding the scope and focus of the administration’s deportation agenda. While officials have publicly emphasized public safety threats, the high volume of arrests involving non-violent offenders or those with no criminal history suggests a broader enforcement strategy that extends well beyond the “violent criminal” priority often cited in official statements. The DHS document classifies around 229,000 of the total arrests as “criminal aliens,” a broad designation that includes any non-citizen with a criminal charge or conviction, regardless of severity.
* cbsnews.com
* theguardian.com
* wlrn.org
* congress.gov
* brookings.edu
