Illegal immigrant arrests skyrocket under Trump ICE compared to Biden levels last year: ‘Worst of the worst’
The Trump administration has been cracking down on illegal immigration, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests soaring compared to the same period under the Biden administration. According to Department of Homeland Security data obtained by Fox News Digital, there were 11,791 interior ICE arrests from Jan 20 to Feb 8, a 137% increase from the 4,969 arrests during the same period in 2024.
Arrests of aliens with criminal histories have nearly doubled from 4,526 in 2024 to 8,993 under Trump this year. Similarly, arrests of fugitive aliens at-large have increased by 156% from 2,164 to 5,538. Arrests of criminal aliens in local jails have gone up by 59%.
The Trump administration’s focus has been on targeting criminal illegal immigrants and gang members, with arrests of suspected gang members increasing by 105% from 210 to 430. The administration has been conducting operations nationwide, including in “sanctuary” cities that do not cooperate with federal enforcement.
In a move to provide additional bed space, the administration has been using federal prisons to house illegal immigrants. Additionally, Guantánamo Bay is being used to house up to 30,000 detainees, with multiple flights leaving last week. The Department of Justice has also taken legal action against New York and Chicago over sanctuary laws.
President Donald Trump has signed orders declaring a national emergency at the border, restarting border wall construction, and terminating Biden-era parole policies. The Department of Homeland Security has removed limits on “sensitive places” imposed by the Biden administration and has ended Temporary Protected Status for some Venezuelan nationals.
The impact of these policies is evident, with the daily average number of known gotaways at the southern border plummeting by 93% since the beginning of February. This significant decrease indicates that the Trump administration’s efforts are having a positive effect on border security.
Overall, the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement is proving to be effective in curbing illegal immigration and ensuring the safety of American communities.
