Sharp Decline in ICE Arrests in Southern California

ICE arrests across the Los Angeles area, encompassing Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, have fallen sharply this year. This decline follows a substantial increase in arrests during 2025.

2025 Surge Compared to Previous Years

The decrease is particularly notable when compared to 2024, when ICE conducted 4,684 arrests in the L.A. area. Data obtained through federal records requests filed by the Deportation Data Project reveals the extent of this shift.

Arrestee Demographics

Analysis of the ICE data indicates that 39% of those arrested had no prior criminal history at the time of their arrest – meaning they had no criminal convictions or pending charges. Furthermore, 52% of those arrested in the L.A. area were born in Mexico.

Peak Arrests and Recent Drop

ICE arrests in Southern California peaked in June 2025, with nearly 2,500 arrests recorded. Numbers remained relatively stable until a significant drop in arrests last month.

After arresting over 1,500 individuals in January 2026, ICE arrests fell to 809 in February.

Possible Contributing Factors

This reduction in ICE activity coincides with increased pressure on President Trump to scale back enforcement following the deaths of protestors Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. “They have pulled back in general,” Immigration Attorney Meredith Bown told 7 On Your Side. “They’re trying to use more intelligence, more data gathering to look for people who have removal orders.”

DHS Response and Data Accuracy

The data presented does not include arrests made by Customs and Border Protection, focusing solely on ICE actions. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, “Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump’s promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. We will continue to deliver on the President’s promise to make America safe again.”

However, DHS also questioned the accuracy of the Deportation Data Project, stating: “The Deportation Data Project relies on information releases that have not been reviewed, audited or given context. DHS nor ICE have verified the accuracy, methodology or the analysis of the project and its results. The bottom line is that the Deportation Data Project is not accurate.” The Deportation Project maintains it is sharing data received from ICE in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.