Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have dropped nearly 12% nationwide following the killings of two American citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis, according to data analyzed by the Associated Press and reported by multiple outlets including Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and PBS.
Key Takeaways
ICE arrests have dropped nearly 12% nationwide following the killings of two American citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis. This decline comes after widespread criticism of heavy-handed tactics and the firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. - ICE arrests peaked at nearly 40,000 in December but began to drop after a shake-up in top immigration officials. - Arrests rose significantly in states like Kentucky and Florida while dropping sharply in Minnesota and Texas. - Nationally, 46% of those arrested had no criminal history before Feb. 4, dropping slightly to 41% afterward.
The decline began after widespread criticism of ICE's heavy-handed tactics and the subsequent firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. At its peak, the crackdown saw thousands arrested weekly in states like Texas, Florida, and California. The strategy involved relentless displays of force with teams descending on restaurant kitchens, bus stops, and parking lots.
ICE arrests peaked at nearly 40,000 nationwide in December and January before dropping following a shake-up in top immigration officials after the Minneapolis killings. The Trump administration insists it targets the most vicious criminals but acknowledges that many arrested have no criminal history. Nationally, some 46% of those arrested had no criminal charges or convictions in the five weeks before Feb. 4, dropping to 41% afterward.
The numbers were not uniform across the country. ICE arrests rose significantly in states like Kentucky and Florida during this period while dropping sharply in Minnesota and Texas. For instance, weekly arrests more than doubled in Kentucky alone by early March. The Trump administration's deportation tactics remain active but have waned since the Minneapolis killings.
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