ICE arrests surge under Trump administration surpassing 100,000

In the United States, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have dramatically increased during President Donald Trump's second term, leading to over 100,000 arrests as of early June 2025. Internal government data reveals that on June 3 and 4, ICE recorded more than 2,000 arrests daily, a significant escalation from the initial daily average of 660 during the first 100 days of Trump's presidency returned to office. The surge contrasts sharply with the previous administration's final year, where ICE averaged approximately 300 arrests per day. The aggressive tactics employed by ICE, which include detaining undocumented immigrants showing up for court hearings or check-in appointments, have drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and community advocates. High-profile cases like that of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes—a high school student arrested while heading to volleyball practice—highlight the controversial nature of these operations. Gomes, who initially lived in the U.S. on a temporary visa, was released by a federal immigration judge after being detained. The driving force behind the surge in arrests appears to be a concerted push from officials within the Trump administration, particularly from figures like White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. The administration seeks to increase the number of daily arrests to a minimum of 3,000 and is looking to Congress for additional funding to support these efforts, including the hiring of thousands of new deportation officers and expanding detention capacity to hold up to 100,000 individuals. As part of the expanded enforcement strategy, the Trump administration has incorporated support from local and state law enforcement agencies, particularly in jurisdictions that are considered friendly to immigration enforcement. The approach has faced backlash from various communities, especially in major urban areas that have adopted more lenient immigration policies. The combination of high-profile arrests and funding appeals suggests that the Trump administration is firmly committed to a policy of mass enforcement of immigration laws.