U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than 10,000 people in the country illegally over five days last week, according to federal sources, as the Trump administration accelerates interior enforcement.
The arrests occurred nationwide and mark a sharp increase in daily operations. Sources familiar with the figures said the agency is now targeting at least 2,000 arrests per day going forward. The figures were first reported by The New York Times.
Surge in Enforcement Operations
Immigration officials ramped up activity quietly since late last week. Agents conducted operations across multiple field offices, focusing on locating and detaining individuals with final removal orders or those encountered during routine enforcement.
Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed the numbers to multiple outlets. The five-day total averages 2,000 arrests daily, double the rate reported earlier in 2026.
The push follows White House and DHS directives to increase enforcement volume after meetings with senior ICE leadership.
President Trump has directed federal agencies to prioritize removal of criminal offenders, including those convicted of murder, rape, sexual assault, and gang-related crimes.
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DHS data indicates that nearly 70 percent of recent ICE arrests involve individuals charged or convicted of crimes in the United States.
Focus on Criminal Offenders
DHS spokespeople emphasized that operations target public safety threats. “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,” a department statement said.
Specific criminal histories for the latest 10,000 arrests have not been released in detail. Earlier this year, DHS announced that ICE had arrested more than 10,000 suspected gang members since the start of the Trump administration.
A recent case in Texas involving the arrest and later release of a Nigerian nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, drew attention after she was detained while walking to Mass. ICE has not commented publicly on individual cases beyond general policy.
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Shift in Agency Strategy
The current approach differs from previous high-profile operations. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Congress during his confirmation process that ICE would conduct enforcement without seeking maximum publicity. This contrasts with the prior secretary’s emphasis on public announcements.
Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and Mullin ally with limited federal immigration experience, is Trump’s nominee to lead ICE. The agency has received additional funding and direction to assign more officers to arrest teams.
The White House previously discussed a goal of 3,000 daily arrests in meetings last year. The current 2,000 daily target reflects operational capacity and logistical realities, including detention space and court proceedings.
Calls for Greater Transparency
Mike Howell, president of the Trump-aligned Oversight Project and a leader in the Mass Deportation Coalition, welcomed the higher arrest numbers but called for better data.
“There have been so many numbers thrown around in press releases, estimates, extrapolations, and puffery that most people are just kind of immune to it and waiting to see the hard data that’s being withheld,” Howell said.
Detention capacity, court backlogs, and foreign government cooperation on repatriation affect final removals.
