ICE Arrests Hit Record High in July — 51% Had No Criminal History
You haven't missed a single ICE check-in, you have a valid immigration status, and you're still being told not to fly. That's the reality for many immigrants in the US right now. July 2026 brought record-breaking ICE arrests — and for the first time, the majority of people arrested had no criminal record at all.
ICE arrested 49,571 people in July 2026, according to government data obtained by the Deportation Data Project. That is the highest monthly total since October 2022 — a 15% jump from June, which had itself set a record. Agents averaged about 1,500 arrests per day. Nearly 34,000 people were removed from the US that same month, the most since the start of the second Trump administration.
Who is being arrested — and how
July marked a turning point: 51% of people arrested had no prior criminal convictions or charges. That was the first time during the second Trump administration that people with no criminal history made up the majority of those arrested. Despite the administration's repeated claims that it targets criminals, the data tells a different story. Arrests are happening at ICE check-in appointments, during traffic stops, outside people's homes, and increasingly at US airports. "The way that people are being detained is far less flashy, but we are still continuing to see arrests," said Melissa Shepard, director of legal services at ImmDef, a southern California immigrant services group. "It's just on a quieter scale — instead of 10 or 12 officers making one arrest, you have a handful of officers pulling someone over."
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
The shift toward quieter enforcement is deliberate. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has pointed to the expanding 287(g) program — which authorizes local police to carry out immigration enforcement — as a key tool for conducting arrests in a "more quiet way." This makes it harder for bystanders, and even immigrants themselves, to know whether a traffic stop is routine or an immigration apprehension. Volunteer groups that once documented large-scale raids are now recalibrating how to track these lower-profile arrests.
People with temporary protected status (TPS) face particular pressure. The Supreme Court cleared the way for the administration to strip TPS from 50,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians. The first deportation flight to Haiti since that ruling landed last week. TPS for Salvadorans is set to expire in September, ending protections for 170,000 people. Advocacy groups in Springfield, Ohio — where many Haitians with TPS had settled — report that community members are being called into ICE offices and fitted with ankle monitors. Attorneys are now advising TPS holders to apply for other forms of immigration relief as quickly as possible.
What to do
- Know your rights at a traffic stop or ICE encounter: You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. Do not sign any documents without speaking to an immigration lawyer first.
- If you have TPS, talk to an immigration attorney now about whether you qualify for another form of relief — such as asylum, a family-based petition, or applying for a green card — before your status expires.
- Avoid unnecessary travel by air if you have a pending immigration case or uncertain status. ImmDef is advising even clients with valid immigration statuses to hold off on flying given the increase in airport enforcement.
- Document everything: Keep copies of all your immigration documents, court notices, and any communication with USCIS or ICE. If you are detained, your attorney will need this information to locate you and file for a bond hearing.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Deportation Defense”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
With 51% of July's arrestees having no criminal history, no one should assume their clean record makes them safe from enforcement. If you have TPS, a pending application, or even a valid status, now is the time to review your options with an attorney — particularly whether you qualify for asylum, adjustment of status (applying for a green card from inside the US), or another form of relief that could provide stronger protection. If you are detained, you have the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Don't wait for a crisis to get legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I have a valid visa or TPS?
Yes. The July 2026 data shows that people with pending or even valid immigration statuses have been arrested. Having a valid status does not guarantee you won't be stopped or questioned. Always carry your immigration documents and know your right to remain silent.
What happens if ICE detains me — what is a bond hearing?
A bond hearing is a proceeding before an immigration judge where you can ask to be released from ICE detention while your case continues. The judge decides whether to set a bond amount you can pay to get out. An immigration attorney can argue on your behalf and present evidence that you are not a flight risk.
My TPS is expiring soon. What should I do?
Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible about other forms of relief — such as asylum, a family-based green card petition (Form I-130), or adjustment of status (Form I-485, the application for a green card from inside the US). The options depend on your specific situation, so individual legal advice is critical.
Is it safe to go to my scheduled ICE check-in appointment?
Missing a mandatory ICE check-in can result in an order of removal (deportation) issued against you in your absence, which is very difficult to reverse. Lawyers generally advise attending appointments but consulting an attorney beforehand about what to expect and what documents to bring.