Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Time left: ...
Loading...Goal: $500

Fact check: What are ICE's enforcement priorities under the current administration in 2025?

Checked on June 16, 2025

1. Summary of the results

ICE's enforcement priorities under the current Trump administration in 2025 represent a dramatic expansion from previous policies. The agency has shifted from primarily targeting individuals with serious criminal backgrounds to implementing what officials describe as the largest mass deportation program in history [1].

Key enforcement priorities include:

  • Expanded targeting scope: ICE now considers anyone without legal status as "fair game" for arrest and deportation, not just those with criminal records [2]. The agency is targeting anyone with a final deportation order, regardless of criminal background [3].
  • Courthouse arrests: ICE has rescinded Biden-era guidelines that limited courthouse enforcement [4] [5]. Agents now arrest immigrants immediately after their cases are dismissed, placing them in expedited removal proceedings that bypass courts and limit appeal opportunities [5].
  • Geographic targeting: The administration is specifically directing ICE to focus deportation efforts on Democratic-run cities [1].
  • Operational scale: ICE aims to arrest 3,000 people per day and deport 1 million people annually [6]. The agency has achieved its "highest number of arrests in history" and implemented leadership realignment to support increased operational tempo [7].
  • Multi-agency coordination: Federal officers from multiple agencies are being drafted to aid immigration enforcement [6] [8].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual factors not immediately apparent in the original question:

Scale of change: ICE has experienced a 900% increase in non-criminal detentions compared to previous policies [2], indicating the magnitude of the policy shift.

Enforcement tactics: ICE employs a "dual-track targeting strategy" combining planned business raids with random sweeps at worker gathering places [3]. However, the agency has paused arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels [1].

Legal implications: The rescission of courthouse arrest limitations gives agents "more discretion and autonomy," potentially leading to escalated enforcement tactics and legal disputes [9].

Resource reallocation concerns: The redirection of federal agents from various agencies to immigration work has raised concerns about the impact on other critical law enforcement functions, including investigating transnational crime and terrorism [8].

Beneficiaries of current narrative: The Trump administration and immigration hardliners benefit politically from demonstrating aggressive enforcement, while immigrant advocacy groups and Democratic officials oppose these expanded priorities.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is neutral and factual, seeking information about current ICE enforcement priorities. However, the sources reveal potential bias in how different outlets frame the same policies:

Government sources [7] [4] emphasize "making American communities safe" and describe arrests of "criminal illegal aliens," using language that frames enforcement as primarily targeting dangerous individuals.

Immigration law sources [2] provide more critical analysis, noting the 900% increase in non-criminal detentions and describing how "anyone without status" is now targeted.

News sources vary in their framing, with some emphasizing the scale and tactics of enforcement [1] [5] [9] while others focus on operational details and inter-agency coordination [6] [8].

The most significant potential for misinformation lies in selective emphasis: government sources highlighting criminal arrests while downplaying the massive increase in non-criminal deportations, and advocacy sources potentially overstating the scope of enforcement while understating legitimate public safety concerns.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the key differences between ICE enforcement priorities in 2024 and 2025?
How does the current administration's ICE enforcement policy compare to previous administrations?
What role does ICE play in addressing immigration issues at the US-Mexico border in 2025?
How do ICE enforcement priorities impact undocumented immigrants with US-born children?
What is the current administration's stance on ICE's use of detention centers and deportation procedures?