The number of immigrants held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody has surged to 66,000, the highest level in history, as President Donald Trump expands his crackdown on illegal immigration, CBS News reported.
The record surge in ICE’s detainee population is driven by President Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement, which gives agents broad authority to arrest anyone in the U.S. illegally, even non-criminals.
The administration has boosted detention capacity through new facilities and reduced releases, leading to more arrests and longer stays for undocumented immigrants.
NEWS: The number of individuals in ICE detention centers reached 66,000 this week, setting a new record high as President Trump intensifies his crackdown, internal federal figures show.
— Camilo Montoya-Galvez (@camiloreports) November 6, 2025
ICE's detainee population has increased by nearly 70% since January.https://t.co/ZwjHXj1UTs
ICE’s detainee population has grown nearly 70% since January, when Trump began his second term, surpassing the previous record of 56,000 set in 2019.
About half of all detainees have no criminal record and are being held solely for civil immigration violations.
The agency has expanded its detention network to include military bases and state-run facilities, boosting capacity to 70,000 beds with plans to reach 100,000.
Critics, including experts at the Migration Policy Institute, warn that ICE’s expansion could worsen conditions at overcrowded sites. A federal judge recently ordered ICE to address “serious” issues at a Chicago facility.
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