ICE Arrests Hit Record High in June 2026: Know Your Rights
You're driving to work on a Tuesday morning when police pull you over — and then hand you to ICE. That scenario is no longer rare. Federal immigration agents arrested 43,138 people in June 2026, the highest monthly total since President Trump took office, and the arrests are happening quietly: at jobs, outside homes, and during routine traffic stops.
You filed no paperwork wrong. You missed no court date. But right now, ICE is arresting more people than at any point in this administration — and many of them have no criminal history at all. Government data published by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows that as of July 11, 2026, there were 65,765 people in ICE detention. The number of people detained with no criminal record continues to outnumber those with pending charges or convictions — a pattern that has held since last summer.
How ICE Is Operating Now
The loud, high-profile raids on public parks that made headlines last year have largely stopped. After immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — President Trump replaced DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Markwayne Mullin, who said he wanted to move away from those kinds of operations. What replaced them is quieter but broader. ICE is now arresting people at workplaces, outside their homes, and during traffic stops. Many immigrants are also being detained when they show up to mandatory ICE check-in appointments. Local police, sheriffs, and other law enforcement agencies deputized by the federal government are also conducting immigration sweeps.
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Gracie Willis, an attorney with the National Immigration Project, told The Guardian that community volunteers who used to watch for ICE vehicles are struggling to keep up. "It's just happening so quickly. So people can't get there to observe, record and report what they saw," she said. "And often all that's left is an empty car sitting there." The White House has reportedly pushed ICE to reach 2,000 arrests per day. A $70 billion funding surge to the Department of Homeland Security — which oversees ICE and Border Patrol — is fueling the expansion. In total, the Trump administration has deported more than 590,600 people since January 2025. ICE had not published arrest and detention data since early April; the agency blamed the months-long gap on a series of government shutdowns.
What to Do
- Know your rights before ICE contacts you. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, birthplace, or how you entered the US. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
- Do not open your door. ICE cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. A deportation order or an ICE administrative warrant is not enough. Ask them to slide the warrant under the door and check whether a judge signed it.
- Think carefully before attending a check-in appointment. People are being arrested at mandatory ICE check-ins. Lawyers recommend speaking with an immigration attorney before your next scheduled appointment to understand your current risk level.
- Prepare an emergency plan now. Write down the phone number of an immigration lawyer or legal aid organization. Tell a trusted person what to do if you are detained — including who should care for your children and how to contact a lawyer on your behalf.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Deportation Defense”.
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If you have a mandatory ICE check-in coming up, do not skip it without legal advice — missing a check-in can result in an automatic order of removal. But you also should not walk in without knowing your current status: an attorney can review whether you have any open applications, appeals, or protections that could affect your risk. If you are detained, you have the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge, and your family or attorney can file a motion to reopen your case if you were removed without a hearing. Consult an immigration attorney before your next check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I have no criminal record?
Yes. Government data shows that the majority of people currently in ICE detention have no criminal history. ICE can arrest anyone it believes is in the US without legal status or in violation of immigration law, regardless of criminal record.
What happens if I am detained at an ICE check-in appointment?
You may be taken into custody immediately. You have the right to remain silent and the right to contact an attorney. Do not sign anything before speaking with a lawyer. Your family can call a legal aid organization or immigration attorney to request a bond hearing on your behalf.
Does ICE need a warrant to enter my home?
ICE needs a judicial warrant — one signed by a judge — to enter your home without your permission. An ICE administrative warrant or a deportation order does not give them the right to enter. You can ask them to slide the document under the door so you can check who signed it.
If I am placed in removal proceedings, can I still fight my case?
Yes. Being arrested or detained does not mean you will automatically be deported. You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. An attorney can argue for bond, file for asylum or other relief, or appeal a removal order. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more options you may have.