AMERICA FIRST: ICE Crackdown Expands — What 453K Arrests Reveal…

ICE has arrested over 453,000 criminal illegal aliens since President Donald J. Trump took office in January 2025. This figure reflects the administration’s priority on removing individuals with criminal records from U.S. communities. The number comes from DHS and ICE enforcement updates as of early April 2026.

DHS officials state that approximately 70 percent of ICE arrests involve criminal illegal aliens. This includes people who have been convicted or charged with crimes in the United States. The focus remains on public safety threats such as murderers, sexual offenders, gang members, and other serious criminals.

The enforcement effort started on day one of the second Trump term. It reversed policies from the previous administration that released many individuals with criminal histories into the interior. Sanctuary jurisdictions that limited cooperation with ICE also made tracking and removal more difficult before 2025.

ICE arrests overall have increased sharply. Daily arrest rates reached over 1,100 in early 2026 in some periods. Street arrests, not just transfers from jails, rose more than tenfold compared to prior years. This allowed agents to target threats in communities as well as through local custody screenings.

Criminal aliens arrested include those convicted of homicide, sexual assault, child abuse, drug trafficking, robbery, and gang activity. ICE maintains a public “Worst of the Worst” list that highlights examples such as individuals with convictions for aggravated sexual assault of a child, murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping.

The 453,000 figure specifically tracks arrests of those with criminal convictions or charges. Broader ICE arrest totals since January 2025 exceed 595,000 noncitizens in some reports through late 2025. This includes both criminal and non-criminal cases.

Deportations have also risen. DHS reports more than 605,000 formal removals plus around 1.9 million self-deportations, for a combined total exceeding 2.5 million illegal aliens who have left the country since Trump returned to office. Earlier mid-term figures showed roughly 622,000 removals by December 2025.

Detention capacity grew significantly. The average daily ICE detention population increased from about 39,000–40,000 at the start of the term to nearly 70,000–73,000 by early 2026. This expansion supported higher arrest and removal numbers.

Border encounters dropped sharply due to stricter policies. Fewer illegal crossings reduced the flow of new criminal threats into the country. Programs similar to Remain in Mexico were resumed, and catch-and-release practices ended.

Local cooperation with ICE improved in many areas. Some jurisdictions that once restricted information sharing now work more closely with federal authorities. Nearly half of ICE arrests in certain periods came from local jails and lock-ups.

Public support for prioritizing criminal illegal aliens remains strong. Polls show majorities across party lines favor removing those who commit crimes while in the country illegally.

Administration officials note that illegal entry itself violates U.S. law. Many non-criminal arrests involve recent border crossers or repeat violators. The primary emphasis, however, stays on those with serious criminal records.

Examples of recent operations include arrests of individuals facing charges for kidnapping, shoving an elderly veteran onto subway tracks, and other violent acts. ICE also targets repeat offenders with multiple prior deportations.

The pace of enforcement quadrupled overall ICE arrests in the first year compared to the end of the prior administration. Transfers from criminal custody roughly doubled while at-large street arrests surged.

Some independent analyses show that the share of arrests involving people with no criminal convictions or pending charges increased over time. DHS maintains that 70 percent of arrests still fall into the criminal category when including convictions and charges.

This record delivers on a core campaign promise. President Trump stated that America would no longer serve as a safe haven for those who enter illegally and then commit crimes. The ICE numbers show steady progress on that commitment.

Every criminal illegal alien removed reduces risks to American families, schools, and neighborhoods. Cases involving child predators, gang members, and violent offenders demonstrate the direct public safety benefits.

Enforcement continues with targeted operations based on intelligence from jails, prisons, and community tips. The agency has expanded its workforce and resources to sustain the effort.

The results include lower burdens on local police, courts, and hospitals. They also restore confidence that immigration laws will be applied rather than overlooked.

As the total grows beyond 453,000 criminal arrests, the message remains direct. Illegal presence combined with criminal activity leads to arrest and removal. No more releases back into communities.