How Many of the People Deported or Detained by ICE Are Actually “The Worst of the Worst?”- High School

Turn on the news at any given point in time, and you are almost guaranteed to see some news article or video depicting ICE agents treating people with seemingly unprompted violence, sometimes even leading to that person’s death.

In justifying his harsh immigration policies in his second term, President Trump has vowed to focus deportation efforts and resources on “the worst of the worst”- people who have committed a violent crime. Some crimes that would result in that label are homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, etc. In theory, prioritizing the removal of violent criminals makes sense to most people, as public safety is a top concern. However, when one does a deep dive into the people ICE is arresting and deporting, one would find that the “worst of the worst” are roughly 5% of the total people being arrested.

By saying that they will deport “the worst of the worst,” President Trump has gained many supporters. Supporters who may overlook the harsh and violent treatment by ICE as something for the greater good. 

However, the numbers show that the “worst of the worst” is only a small portion of the people being detained or deported. In fact, as much as 70% of the people being detained by ICE are people who have committed civil offenses, such as overstaying their visa or entering without inspection. 

40-50% of ICE arrests are of people who have committed non-violent crimes, like DUIs, traffic offenses, or drug possession. 

Moreover, some people that ICE targets are people who haven’t committed a crime.

• 782 protestors, journalists, elected officials, clergy, and community observers

• 214 children, including 32 who were U.S. citizens 

• 155 U.S. citizens

Protestors exercising their First Amendment right to free speech are being detained or targeted by ICE, the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in the history of the United States.

Clearly, ICE isn’t focusing those resources on “the worst of the worst.” While the agency has deported violent criminals and continues to do so, their priority does not appear to be in doing so.