Staff Reports
Federal data reveals that Immigration and Customs Enforcement currently has nearly 50,000 detainees, a remarkable increase as President Trump’s commitment to mass deportation of criminal illegals continues to bear fruit. This figure marks a significant jump of 10,000 compared to Joe Biden’s peak of around 40,000 detentions during his administration.
As of March 23, the number of detainees stood at an impressive 47,892, surpassing the 39,703 recorded during the Biden era. While these numbers have yet to reach the peak of 60,000 witnessed during Trump’s first term, it’s evident the current administration is gearing up to break that record sooner rather than later. The increased focus on deporting criminal illegals might just be the renaissance of order that Americans have been craving.
The current surge in detainees is the highest in five years, and forecasts suggest that they could skyrocket further once additional funding is allocated. A Substack analyst pointed out that new fiscal support for ICE is likely to propel detention numbers to even loftier heights. This time around, the majority of detainees are being processed by ICE rather than Customs and Border Protection, a noteworthy shift that highlights the federal agency’s renewed zeal in tackling illegal immigration.
ICE Has Nearly 50,000 Illegal Migrants in Detention https://t.co/RSfkM10n0H
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) March 29, 2025
However, with this surge in detainees comes the familiar problem of overcrowding in detention facilities. Advocates are calling conditions “inhumane,” clearly underestimating the value of strong immigration enforcement as a deterrent for those who would break the law. The administration is already responding to these complaints by announcing the opening of new detention facilities, demonstrating that a robust approach to immigration policy can effectively accommodate the needs of national security.
In Minnesota, the crackdown is resonating loudly as lawyers who specialize in representing migrants are overwhelmed with cases, filling up the dockets of immigration judges in Hennepin County. Reports indicate that the legal pipelines are chock-full of immigration enforcement cases, reinforcing the notion that the wheels of justice are turning in favor of a stricter immigration policy. This uptick can only be seen as a positive sign for those aiming to restore law and order in a nation that has witnessed far too many lenient policies in recent years.
