Fact check: What percentage of ICE detainees have felony convictions?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available data, less than 30% of ICE detainees have any criminal convictions, with an even smaller percentage having felony convictions specifically. Multiple sources consistently report that 46-47% of ICE detainees have no criminal history whatsoever ^{[1] [2]}.

The most specific data regarding serious crimes comes from CNN, which found that less than 10% of immigrants taken into ICE custody had serious criminal convictions including murder, assault, robbery, or rape ^[3]. Additionally, more than 75% of people booked into ICE custody had no criminal conviction other than immigration or traffic-related offenses ^[3].

The exact percentage of ICE detainees with felony convictions appears to be significantly lower than 30%, likely in the single digits based on the available data, though no source provides the precise felony conviction rate.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The question lacks important contextual information about how ICE detention priorities have shifted over time. One source indicates that since Trump's inauguration, the percentage of detained individuals who are convicted or accused criminals has dropped ^[4], suggesting that enforcement policies directly impact these statistics.

Geographic variations also matter - data from New York City shows that 35% of ICE arrests aren't criminals ^[5], which may differ from national averages. The official ICE statistics categorize detainees into multiple groups including those with criminal convictions, pending charges, and no convictions ^[6], but don't provide the specific felony breakdown requested.

Immigration advocacy groups would benefit from emphasizing the low felony conviction rates to argue against mass detention policies, while law enforcement agencies and immigration hardliners might benefit from focusing on the absolute numbers of criminals detained rather than percentages to justify continued operations.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is neutral and factual, seeking specific statistical information. However, the framing of detention statistics can be misleading depending on how the data is presented.

Potential bias emerges in how this statistic might be used - those supporting stricter immigration enforcement might emphasize that any percentage of criminals justifies detention, while those opposing current policies might highlight that the vast majority of detainees pose no criminal threat beyond immigration violations.

The absence of readily available, precise felony conviction percentages from official ICE sources ^{[6] [7]} suggests either incomplete data collection or selective reporting, which could serve political interests on both sides of the immigration debate.