As the U.S. faces a wave of civil unrest following the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, new data reveals the scale of the administration’s immigration enforcement.
Approximately 68,990 migrants are now held in detention of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is an all time high.
This data comes from the NBC deportation tracker, pulled from both internal and public ICE database as of January 8, 2026.
But the main shocker of this data is the percentage of migrants with pending criminal charges or ‘unclear’ violation charges.
TL;DR
- Nearly half of the 68,990 people in ICE custody (48.4%) have no criminal convictions
- It is a pivotal moment as congress debate funding.
Migrants in ICE detention (2026)
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Category | Number of U.S. Immigrants detained by ICE | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | With criminal convictions | 17,730 | 25.7 |
| 2 | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | With pending criminal charges | 17,868 | 25.9 |
| 3 | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | Listed as "other immigration violator" | 33,391 | 48.4 |
| 4 | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | Fast-tracked for deportation | 6,416 | 9.3 |
| 5 | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | emmanuel-ashemiriogwa | 27/01/2026 03:54 PM | Total | 68,990 |
Half of ICE detainees have committed no crimes
Nearly half of the 68,990 people in ICE custody (48.4%) have no criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
They’re detained solely for immigration violations (overstayed visas, unauthorized border crossings, or other civil immigration infractions).
This directly contradicts the rhetoric around ICE enforcement, which typically emphasizes targeting “dangerous criminals” and “public safety threats.”
The Math Doesn’t Add Up (And That’s Significant)
Notice that 25.7% + 25.9% + 48.4% = 100.0%, but there’s also a separate 9.3% “fast-tracked for deportation” category.
This reveals these aren’t mutually exclusive groups. People can be in multiple categories simultaneously.
Someone might be an “other immigration violator” AND fast-tracked for deportation.
Or they might have pending charges AND be fast-tracked.
This overlap suggests ICE’s classification system prioritizes multiple labels for the same individuals, potentially to justify detention of people who pose no criminal threat.
Why This Data Matters Right Now
This is a critical moment because:
- Trump’s first year is complete
The Jan 8, 2026 data represents roughly 11-12 months of Trump 2.0 enforcement. The 68,990 figure shows his campaign promises of “mass deportation” are being pursued aggressively.
- Congress is debating immigration
Republican majorities in House and Senate are pushing bills to increase ICE funding, expand detention capacity, and eliminate protections for certain immigrant groups. This data will fuel both sides: Republicans will point to 25.7% with convictions as proof ICE is needed; Democrats will point to 48.4% without criminal records as proof of overreach.
- Legal challenges mounting
ACLU, immigrant rights groups, and Democratic state attorneys general are suing over detention conditions, due process violations, and family separations. The 48.4% figure strengthens their case that ICE detention is punitive rather than necessary.
- 2026 midterms approaching
Immigration is a top issue. This data becomes campaign ammunition: “Half of ICE detainees have committed no crimes” vs. “There are still 17,730 criminals in our communities.”
What This Means for Current ICE Crackdown in the U.S.
Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy militarized immigration agents in U.S. cities may finally be reaching a reckoning.
He now faces widespread opposition across the US, dissenting lawmakers in his own party, and impending court rulings.
All these are happening after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis.
Although there was no sign that the aggressive tactics used by immigration enforcement are coming to an end.
ELI5
When it comes to ICE enforcements under the Trump administration, 68,990 people have been detained, with 48.4% having no criminal convictions or charges. That’s roughly 1 in 4 detainees without criminal charges.
It gives the impression that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement is no longer about “public safety” but mass removal regardless of individual circumstances.
The Minneapolis protests are part of a national pattern of resistance to ICE operations.
Sources:
NBC Detention Tracker | The Guardian | Reuters