ICE Books a Record 43,000 People Into Detention in June as Custody Population Climbs

Newly released ICE data show more than 43,000 people were booked into immigration detention in June 2026, the highest monthly total since President Trump returned to office, averaging about 1,438 arrests per day. Data for the first 11 days of July averaged 1,593 per day. The average daily detained population rose to roughly 59,400 in June and exceeded 65,600 in early July. DHS said 19,329 of those in custody had criminal convictions and 20,247 faced pending charges; a DHS spokesperson said ICE does not use arrest quotas, though sources have told CBS News that agents were instructed to target 2,000 arrests per day.

The surge reflects sustained White House pressure to increase arrests and detention capacity as the administration pursues a goal of roughly one million removals a year. The data also show renewed growth in the detention of people without criminal records, with the non-criminal detained population up about 20% in early July over June. The increase followed fatal ICE shootings of two men during vehicle stops in Texas and Maine, after which officials said enforcement would continue.

Officials have said they intend to sustain the pace while shifting away from large, highly publicized operations.