Statistics

Audit Finds Over 70% Increase in Federal Immigration Arrests in New York City

| Reuters | Reuters | May 22, 2026

This article reports that a New York City audit found federal immigration arrests rose by more than 70% under Trump. The audit recommended that city jails stop notifying ICE about noncitizens, highlighting conflict between local policy and federal enforcement.

ICE Air Deportation Flights Increased Sharply in 2026

| Associated Press | Associated Press | April 30, 2026

This article reports that ICE sharply increased deportation flights during the first months of 2026. The increase reflected broader deportation goals and expanded detention capacity.

As Trump Pushes Deportations, Immigration Data Becomes Less Available

| Associated Press | Associated Press | March 15, 2026

This article reports that public immigration enforcement data became less available as the Trump administration expanded deportations. The article focuses on transparency, accountability, and the difficulty of tracking the scale of immigration enforcement.

Immigration Court Backlog Nears Historic High

| Associated Press | Associated Press | March 8, 2026

This article reports that immigration court backlogs approached record levels as arrests and detention increased. The backlog contributed to prolonged detention and delayed asylum hearings.

Courts Have Ruled 4,400 Times That ICE Jailed People Illegally

| Reuters | Reuters | February 17, 2026

This article reports that courts have repeatedly found ICE detentions unlawful, yet the practice has continued. It describes a surge in habeas petitions as detained immigrants challenge custody under expanded detention policies.

ICE to Spend $38.3 Billion on Detention Centers Across US

| Reuters | Reuters | February 13, 2026

This article reports on ICE plans to spend billions expanding detention capacity, including large new detention centers and additional facilities. The expansion is tied to increased arrests and a broader immigration enforcement buildup.

Habeas Petitions Filed in Second Trump Term Hit Historic Levels

| ProPublica | ProPublica | February 10, 2026

This article reports a major rise in habeas petitions filed by detained immigrants challenging ICE custody. It links the increase to expanded detention, more interior arrests, and policies limiting access to bond.

ICE Detention Population Reaches Highest Level in Years

| Reuters | Reuters | October 17, 2025

This article reports that the number of immigrants held in ICE custody reached its highest level in years as arrests and deportation operations increased nationwide.

Path to asylum narrows, especially for Latinos

| Russell Contreras | Axios | Dec. 11, 2024

This Axios analysis is the most directly useful article for statistics on who is receiving asylum in U.S. immigration courts. It reports that asylum grant rates had dropped to 35.8% in October, with major disparities by nationality: Russia had an 85.4% approval rate, China 76.6%, Mexico only 16.6%, Honduras 29.1%, Venezuela 64.5%, and Cuba 51.6%. The article emphasizes that asylum seekers from Russia, Asia, and Eastern Europe were more successful than many Latin American applicants.