ICE Arrests Surge to Nearly 50,000 in July, Highest in Trump's Second Term

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended nearly 50,000 individuals in July, marking the highest monthly total during President Donald Trump's second term. This surge in detentions indicates the administration's continued pursuit of its mass deportation agenda, even after shifting its strategy earlier this year. The approach moved from highly publicized operations in major U.S. cities, which drew public outcry, to less conspicuous but equally impactful detentions. The July count of 49,571 arrests is a 15% increase from the previous month's 43,021 and a substantial 70% rise from February's 29,241 arrests, following earlier immigration enforcement measures. Data provided by ICE to UC Berkeley's Data Project on Deportations and analyzed by The Associated Press reveals this trend. Detentions were significantly lower before Trump took office, largely comprising individuals transferred from local jails. Over Trump's first year, detentions climbed as the administration eased restrictions and increased funding for ICE. Following a dip in early 2026 after high-profile incidents and protests, detentions began to rise again in June and continued sharply in July. Despite Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin's earlier commitment to a more moderate approach, the agency's actions and these figures suggest a continued adherence to Trump's vision of mass deportations.