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Friday, Jan. 2, 2026

Did fewer than 30% of ICE detainees in 2025 have criminal records?

Brian Arola, MinnPost
yes

In 2025, about 29% of the people who were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were convicted criminals, compared with 71% who had no criminal convictions, according to the agency.

President Donald Trump’s administration has claimed it prioritizes the “worst of the worst” for its immigration enforcement actions. ICE detention stats for last year contradict this, showing low rates of criminal convictions among detainees.

About 24% of the detainees had pending criminal charges. These individuals may end up with convictions, although the charges are often minor and are regularly dismissed, according to an analysis by the CATO Institute. 

About 5% of the detainees had convictions for violent crimes, the analysis found. Traffic and immigration offenses are the most common convictions among detainees.

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