U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data released in late July reveal a significant increase in detainees nationwide, with more than 43,000 people held in detention centers during June 2026—the highest monthly figure since President Trump resumed office. This surge follows a period of reduced detention numbers earlier in the year, when monthly counts dropped below 35,000 from February through May.
The newly released figures also underscore that a large majority of detainees lack criminal records, both nationally and in California. On average, 79% of detainees nationwide and 74% in California had no criminal convictions. Analyses of California’s eight detention centers show that many facilities hold predominantly non-criminal detainees—for example, only 38% of those in custody at Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County have a criminal record, and the percentage is even lower, at 25%, in California City Immigrant Processing Center in Kern County.
The data release came after a months-long delay, with ICE withholding biweekly reporting since early April, citing the partial government shutdown earlier this year, which closed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 76 days. This hiatus represents the longest such gap in recent years, drawing criticism from advocacy groups and data experts who stress the importance of timely information for public accountability.
The recent increase in detention coincides with policy shifts under the Trump administration. After an initial focus on large-scale immigration raids—such as a December 2025 operation in the Twin Cities that resulted in two civilian deaths—ICE has redirected efforts toward expedited processing of asylum cases and increased detention for individuals attending routine check-ins. Immigration courtrooms have also been packed to manage high case volumes, sometimes processing more than 100 individuals per day, which some observers say has led to confusion and missed hearings, resulting in default deportation orders.
Between October 2025 and June 2026, ICE deported 356,389 people, a rise compared with 319,980 deportations in the prior 12 months. As of July 11, the total detainee population stood near 66,000, up from earlier numbers reported in April but still below a record 70,766 detainees in late January. Notably, these figures exclude individuals held in short-term detention facilities such as ICE field offices and courtrooms.
Supporters of the administration’s approach argue that consistent enforcement measures, including asylum restrictions and increased detention, reflect efforts to maintain immigration system integrity. An ICE spokesperson attributed the earlier delay in data reporting to the government shutdown and emphasized the importance of keeping the agency fully funded to ensure ongoing transparency.
Critics contend that the data highlight a troubling trend: the majority of detainees are not serious criminals but rather individuals targeted as part of a broad immigration crackdown. Advocates emphasize the need for transparency and timely data release, asserting that public access to comprehensive information is essential to informed democratic participation and policy debate.
Experts anticipate that immigration enforcement will continue to intensify throughout the year, though the exact trajectory remains uncertain amid ongoing legal and political developments.