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NewsTimes of San DiegoAugust 26, 2026San Diego

ICE reports 49,571 arrests in July 2026, highest monthly total of Trump's second term

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recorded 49,571 arrests in July 2026, marking a 15% increase from June and a 70% increase since February. The data indicates a shift toward less visible enforcement tactics, including increased collaboration with local police and more frequent arrests following minor traffic stops.

immigrationlaw enforcementdeportationfederal policy
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Why It Matters

The data reveals a significant rise in federal immigration enforcement activity, with nearly half of those arrested having no prior criminal convictions, impacting immigrant communities and local law enforcement resources across the U.S.

Key Facts

  • ICE arrested 49,571 people in July 2026, the highest monthly total of the current administration.
  • Arrests increased 15% from June (43,021) and 70% from February (29,241).
  • Approximately 6,500 arrests (13% of the total) were conducted by local police departments collaborating with ICE.
  • Collaborative arrests under 287(g) agreements have grown from less than 5% of monthly arrests a year ago to 13% in July.
  • Texas and Florida accounted for approximately 20,000 of the total arrests in July.
  • More than 50% of those arrested had no prior criminal convictions or pending charges.
  • Less than 25% of those arrested had a prior criminal conviction.
  • Nearly 50% of arrests were classified as 'non-custodial,' occurring in the community rather than in jails.
  • Enforcement tactics increasingly involve traffic stops for minor infractions like expired tags or window tinting.
  • The administration has shifted away from high-profile, publicized raids toward less visible enforcement operations.

Who's Mentioned

organizationCenter for Immigration Studies“Policy research organization”organizationDeportation Data Project“Data source from UC Berkeley and UCLA”personBobby Kuchinsky“Manager of Half Shell Raw Bar”personMarkwayne Mullin“Secretary of Homeland Security”locationFlorida“State with high arrest volume”personPatricia Quiñónez“Journalist for Utahzolanos”personDonald Trump“President of the United States”locationTexas“State with high arrest volume”organizationICE“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”