Less than 14% arrested by ICE in 2025 had violent criminal records, DHS document shows

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested a population where fewer than 14% of individuals possessed violent criminal records during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents obtained by CBS News this week. The data, detailed in a report by correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez, highlights a significant gap between the administration’s rhetoric regarding the removal of "dangerous criminals" and the actual legal profiles of those taken into custody. These findings emerge as the administration scales up its promised mass deportation campaign targeting the estimated millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. The internal statistics reveal that the vast majority of those apprehended by federal agents do not have histories of violent offenses, such as homicide, rape, or aggravated assault. Instead, a significant portion of arrests involve individuals with non-violent records, such as immigration violations or minor infractions, or those with no criminal history at all. This shift in operational focus underscores a broader effort by the executive branch to expand the scope of immigration enforcement beyond the high-priority categories of public safety threats and national security risks that were emphasized during previous administrations. Legal experts and immigration advocates note that these figures suggest the administration is prioritizing volume and speed in deportations rather than a targeted approach on public safety. The DHS document indicates that while the White House often characterizes its immigration policies as a necessary move to protect American citizens from violent crime, the statistical reality shows that the dragnet is catching a much broader demographic. This data is expected to fuel ongoing debates in Congress regarding the ethical and logistical implications of mass deportation efforts and the allocation of taxpayer funds toward DHS operations. Furthermore, the disclosure of these internal metrics comes at a time of heightened tension between federal authorities and so-called sanctuary cities, where local law enforcement remains hesitant to cooperate with ICE. As the administration continues its crackdown, the discrepancy between the "violent criminal" narrative and the DHS's own arrest data may provide fuel for legal challenges against the administration’s enforcement priorities. Moving forward, the DHS is expected to face increased scrutiny regarding the transparency of its arrest data and the criteria used to identify targets for removal.