Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security published detention and removals data on July 20–21 showing 356,389 removals so far in fiscal year 2026 and a June peak of about 43,138 people booked into detention.
- ICE reported roughly 65,765 people in custody in mid-2026 and said about 60% have criminal records while independent analysis and reporting show a growing share of detainees lack criminal convictions.
- Administration officials including Tom Homan have described an operational pace or target of about 2,000 arrests per day but the year-to-date removals average closer to 1,200–1,300 per day based on ICE’s cumulative totals.
- Two recent fatal shootings during ICE vehicle stops in Maine and Texas prompted a temporary pause on most vehicle stops, a pledge to require body cameras on arrest teams, and renewed oversight and legal scrutiny.
- Advocacy groups have sued for raw arrest and deportation data and business groups have lobbied DHS to scale back worksite enforcement, making transparency, tactics and political pressure central to what comes next.