Significant Increase in ICE Arrests in Greater Los Angeles

Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the greater Los Angeles area increased more than threefold in 2025 compared to the previous year. Federal immigration officials made 14,458 arrests in the region during 2025, a substantial rise from the 4,684 arrests recorded in 2024.

Criminal Record Breakdown of Those Detained

Data published by the Deportation Data Project indicates that approximately 45% of those arrested in the greater Los Angeles area in 2025 had a criminal conviction. Around 15% faced pending criminal charges, while roughly 39% had no criminal charges or convictions, according to a review of the data.

Data Source and Methodology

Researchers from UCLA and UC Berkeley compile this data through Freedom of Information Act requests. They then analyze the obtained federal data and publish their findings on the Deportation Data Project website.

National Arrest Numbers and DHS Response

Nationwide, ICE officials made over 320,000 arrests in 2025, a significant increase from the more than 111,000 arrests made in 2024. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that over 18,000 arrests have been made in the Los Angeles area since the start of President Trump’s second term in January 2025.

DHS Statement on “Non-Criminals”

In a statement, DHS argued that many individuals categorized as “non-criminals” may be terrorists, human rights abusers, or gang members without a U.S. criminal record. The department emphasized that entering the country illegally is itself a crime, and challenged the accuracy of labeling these individuals as “non-criminals.” DHS further stated that focusing on the stories of criminals overshadows the experiences of their victims.