ICE detentions set Trump-era high in July, as immigration crackdown widens

In July, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) set a record high for detentions, as part of a continued crackdown on immigration enforcement during the second Trump administration, according to internal data obtained by CBS News. The agency arrested more than 46,000 individuals facing deportation for alleged immigration violations, such as entering the U.S. illegally or overstaying their visas.

This surpasses the roughly 43,000 detentions recorded in June, which was the highest tally during President Trump's second term. As of the end of July, ICE was holding 68,000 detainees, nearing a record high of over 70,000 detainees set in January. The surge in arrests comes as ICE faces pressure from the White House to record 2,000 arrests daily.

The Trump administration has been intensifying its efforts to curb illegal immigration, after a significant drop in arrests earlier this year following the killing of two American citizens during an enforcement blitz in Minneapolis. Despite a temporary pause on vehicle stops, ICE has continued to boost arrest levels through airport crackdowns, traffic stops, and the deployment of newly hired agents.

The latest phase of the crackdown has reignited debates over ICE's tactics, with the killing of two immigrants during traffic stops in Texas and Maine prompting local and national outcry. ICE has paused most vehicle stops, but the moratorium was lifted after President Trump intervened, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the agency's operations.