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

If you watch the news, you might see stories or videos showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents using physical force against people during arrests. In some cases, these encounters have resulted in severe injuries or even death.

To support harsh deportation policies, President Trump promised to focus government resources on "the worst of the worst"—meaning individuals who have committed violent crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, or robbery. In theory, prioritizing the removal of violent criminals makes sense to most people, as public safety is a top concern. However, data on who ICE actually arrests and deports paints a different picture.

Research into federal detention records reveals that individuals fitting the "worst of the worst" description make up only a small fraction of the total people arrested by ICE: Only about 5% of the individuals arrested by ICE have been charged with or convicted of serious, violent crimes.

Up to 70% of those held in ICE detention facilities have not committed a criminal offense at all. Instead, they committed civil immigration violations, such as entering the country without official permission or staying past the expiration date on their visa.

About 40% to 50% of ICE arrests involve people whose offenses are non-violent. These typically include traffic violations, driving under the influence (DUI), or minor drug possession.

Data and civil rights reports also show that federal immigration enforcement operations have affected individuals who have not committed any crimes, including U.S. citizens and protected groups:

• 782 protesters, journalists, elected officials, religious leaders, and community observers.

• 214 children (including 32 who are U.S. citizens).

• 155 U.S. citizens.

These figures show people exercising their First Amendment right to protest and speak freely have been swept up in enforcement actions by ICE, the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in the history of the United States.

While political leaders often justify expanding ICE's budget and authority by promising to target dangerous individuals, official data demonstrates that the agency's primary focus in practice extends far beyond violent offenders. Instead, the majority of people detained or deported are non-violent offenders, civil immigration violators, or individuals with no criminal record.