In early 2026, a major debate erupted in U.S. media over immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. A CBS News report revealed internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data suggesting that only a small fraction of immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had violent criminal histories. This report sparked controversy, with political leaders, civil liberties advocates, and experts interpreting the numbers in contrasting ways.
This article provides a clear, detailed look at the data, the Trump administration’s response, and independent analysis to help understand the state of immigration enforcement today.
1. What the CBS Report Found
CBS News obtained an internal DHS document detailing ICE enforcement activity between January 21, 2025 and January 31, 2026, during Trump’s second term. Key points from the report:
-
ICE made approximately 393,000 arrests during this period.
-
Only 13.9% of those arrested had violent criminal convictions or charges, including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, and kidnapping.
-
Around 60% had some criminal history, but the majority were non-violent offenses such as drug possession, DUI, fraud, or burglary.
-
Nearly 40% had no criminal record in the U.S. and were primarily detained for civil immigration violations like illegal entry or overstaying a visa.
Breakdown of Arrests
| Offense Type | Number of Individuals |
|---|---|
| Homicide | ~2,100 |
| Sexual assault | ~5,400 |
| Robbery and assault | Tens of thousands |
| Drug, weapons, DUI, traffic offenses | ~70,000+ |
| Civil immigration violations | ~153,000 |
Legal definitions of violent vs. non-violent crimes vary, meaning non-violent offenses can still pose public safety concerns, even if not classified as “violent.”
2. The Trump Administration’s Response
Following the CBS report, Trump administration officials disputed the findings and interpretation:
-
They emphasized that 60–70% of arrestees had criminal convictions or pending charges, many of which were serious or had implications outside the U.S.
-
Non-violent offenses like drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fraud were considered high-risk behaviors that threaten public safety.
-
Administration messaging highlighted that ICE enforcement prioritizes “the worst of the worst”, including murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists.
Officials argued that the CBS headline focusing only on violent crimes failed to reflect the full context of ICE enforcement operations.
3. Independent Analysis
Immigration researchers and policy experts provided additional insights:
a. Civil Liberties Perspectives
-
Institutions like the Cato Institute and projects like the Deportation Data Project observed that the percentage of arrestees without criminal records has increased.
-
Only a small fraction of detainees are convicted of serious violent crimes.
-
Broader enforcement has increasingly included non-violent offenses and civil violations.
b. Data Interpretation Challenges
-
Public ICE statistics often combine arrests, detentions, and deportations with inconsistent classifications.
-
International criminal records are not always included, making U.S. arrest data an incomplete picture.
-
Experts warn that percentages can be misleading without context, such as offense type and pending charges.
4. Enforcement Trends Under Trump
Since Trump returned to the presidency:
-
ICE arrests surged nationwide, including in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
-
Interior enforcement expanded beyond border regions, prompting protests and public criticism.
-
Detention of individuals for civil immigration violations, including families and children, has sparked legal and humanitarian debates.
Media coverage of ICE arrests often reflects political perspectives, emphasizing either low percentages of violent criminals or broader risks from non-violent offenses.
5. Understanding the Numbers
-
About 60% of ICE arrestees had criminal charges or convictions.
-
Fewer than 14% were classified as violent offenders.
-
Nearly 40% were arrested solely for civil immigration violations.
Even non-violent crimes, while legally distinct from violent offenses, can still affect public safety. The data indicates that many ICE arrestees do not fit the profile of “the worst of the worst” often cited in political messaging.
6. Why the Debate Matters
The discussion over ICE data touches on several key issues:
-
Enforcement priorities: Should ICE focus on violent offenders, or include civil violations?
-
Public perception: Media framing shapes understanding of immigration enforcement.
-
Civil rights: Arresting individuals for civil violations raises questions about due process and human rights.
-
Policy vs. messaging: Discrepancies between political claims and data can undermine public trust.
Understanding the nuances of enforcement data is crucial for informed debate on immigration policy, public safety, and civil liberties.
Conclusion
The CBS report highlighting that fewer than 14% of ICE arrestees were violent criminals illustrates the complexity of immigration enforcement under President Trump. While the administration emphasizes targeting serious offenders, internal data shows that many arrests involve non-violent crimes or civil immigration violations.
A nuanced understanding of this data — including definitions of violent crime, pending charges, and international records — is essential for a balanced discussion about the goals, priorities, and consequences of immigration policy in the U.S.