Who the Trump Administration Targeted for ICE Arrests

Wed Oct 22 2025 15:11:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A report highlights the range of individuals arrested by ICE under the Trump administration, shedding light on the implications of aggressive immigration enforcement.

Under President Trump's administration, ICE has intensified its immigration raids, resulting in a broad spectrum of arrests, from undocumented workers to visa holders and protesters. The ramifications have sparked outrage and protests, particularly in cities like Los Angeles, raising questions about the legality and morality of such enforcement actions.

The Trump administration has implemented a stringent immigration policy, with promises of a vast deportation program aimed at “criminals” and undocumented migrants. In a significant escalation of efforts, the administration has broadened the focus of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to include not just known offenders but also migrant workers, visitors, and even student activists. Five months into Trump's presidency, protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to an increased number of immigration raids at various workplaces.

As of early June, around 51,000 undocumented migrants were being held in ICE detention, representing the highest numbers since September 2019. Despite claims from the White House that these operations focus on “criminals,” studies reveal a striking number of detainees possess clean records apart from entering the U.S. illegally. According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, around 44% of those detained had no prior criminal history.

The recent immigration operations in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of 118 individuals, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserting that among them were five gang members. However, the status of many detained, including undocumented migrants with no criminal background, remains ambiguous. For instance, a family reported that their 23-year-old son, a member of the indigenous Zapotec community in Mexico, was detained despite having no criminal history—raising concerns over the fairness of these arrests.

ICE's enforcement strategy has also led to detaining tourists. In various instances, individuals from the UK, Canada, and Italy have encountered problems upon attempting to enter the U.S. A renowned TikTok star, Khaby Lame, was arrested for visa violations and released after being granted “voluntary departure.” Likewise, Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney faced detention for nearly two weeks over a visa renewal attempt, revealing distressing conditions and drawing public outcry.

In El Salvador, the Trump administration has sent over 250 individuals allegedly affiliated with gangs to a mega-prison, although many family members contest allegations of gang connections. These actions invoke the "alien enemies" statute from 1798, which allows the government to detain citizens of "enemy" nations. A notable case is that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deported under contentious circumstances, despite conflicting rulings from various judges about his return to the U.S.

Moreover, the administration has turned its attention to foreign nationals engaged in political protests. Allegations of targeting those with legal residency and student visas have surged, particularly following responses to what the administration deems antisemitism in educational settings. Reports indicate that over 1,600 international students had their visas revoked due to suspected alignment with anti-Israel activities, including cases like Mahmoud Khalil, who has been fighting deportation after participating in pro-Palestinian protests.

As ICE continues to justify its rounds of arrests, critics and advocates argue against the increasingly harsh measures which appear to disproportionately affect those with lawful status or flimsy ties to criminal activities, raising significant concerns over civil rights and due process in the immigration landscape.