Fact check: How many of those deported from the US in 2025 actually had serious convictions

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available data from 2025, the vast majority of people deported from the US did not have serious criminal convictions. The evidence shows that 71.7% of people detained by ICE have no criminal convictions whatsoever ^[1]. Among those who do have convictions, only 6.9% had committed violent crimes ^{[1] [2]}.

More recent data indicates that 65% of people processed by ICE since the start of fiscal year 2025 had no criminal convictions ^[2]. Another analysis found that roughly 8% of all ICE detainees had been convicted of violent crimes, with about 40% of detainees having any criminal convictions at all ^[3]. This means the majority of convictions were for non-violent offenses.

The data reveals a significant shift in enforcement patterns, with ICE arresting over 38,000 migrants with criminal convictions, but also increasingly targeting those with no criminal history - 44% of those arrested having no criminal background ^[4]. In New York City specifically, 675 people with criminal convictions were arrested by ICE this year, representing a 143% increase from the previous year ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the dramatic shift in ICE enforcement priorities under the current administration. While the stated policy focuses on deporting "the worst of the worst," the data shows a recent shift toward also arresting those who have not been accused of crimes ^[4].

Political leaders and immigration enforcement agencies benefit from emphasizing the criminal aspect of deportations to justify expanded operations, even when the majority of those targeted are non-criminals. The Trump administration's approach may include deporting immigrants to third countries where they have no connections and may face persecution or torture ^[6], which represents a significant escalation in enforcement tactics.

The data also reveals that ERO's highest-profile removals generally comprise fugitives wanted for serious crimes in other countries ^[7], suggesting that while serious criminals are being targeted, they represent a small fraction of overall deportation activities.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that a significant number of those deported had "serious convictions." This framing could perpetuate the misconception that immigration enforcement primarily targets dangerous criminals, when the data clearly shows that the majority of deportations involve people with no criminal record at all.

The question fails to acknowledge that the number of people arrested with only civil immigration violations has increased, especially in May and June ^[5], indicating that enforcement has expanded well beyond targeting serious criminals. This omission could lead to public misunderstanding about the scope and nature of current deportation operations.

The emphasis on "serious convictions" in the question may inadvertently support narratives that benefit immigration enforcement agencies and political figures who gain support by portraying deportation operations as primarily focused on public safety, when the statistical reality shows a much broader enforcement approach targeting largely non-criminal populations.