ICE data reveals 18% of detainees have no criminal record, up from 6%

The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss the implications of current immigration policies under the Biden administration, particularly focusing on the border crisis. The meeting highlighted significant statistics regarding individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the nature of their offenses.

The session began with a statement emphasizing that over 18 percent of individuals held in ICE detention had no criminal record, a notable increase from previous years. In contrast, 82 percent of those arrested by ICE were at least charged with crimes, primarily related to immigration offenses and low-level crimes. Only 12 percent of detainees were categorized as serious offenders.

A key point of discussion was the enforcement of final orders of removal. One committee member raised concerns about the enforcement of these orders, suggesting that approximately 20 percent should not be enforced due to individuals claiming asylum and failing to appear in court. However, the response clarified that each case must be assessed individually, as some individuals may have been ordered removed due to administrative errors, such as incorrect addresses for court notifications.

The conversation also touched on the need for a focused approach in immigration enforcement, particularly given the limited resources available to address the nearly 4 million cases in immigration court. The emphasis was placed on prioritizing individuals with serious offenses rather than adopting a broad approach to enforcement.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the increase in arrests of individuals without criminal convictions, which has risen significantly. While the overall numbers of arrests have increased by over 600 percent compared to the previous year, the committee members reiterated that the majority of those arrested still had some form of criminal conviction.

In summary, the meeting underscored the complexities of immigration enforcement under the Biden administration, highlighting the need for careful consideration of individual cases and the challenges posed by rising arrest numbers. The committee's discussions reflect ongoing debates about the balance between enforcement and the rights of individuals within the immigration system.