Photo: Taken from Tele Sur

Record in immigrant detention in the United States

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached a historic record in the detention of immigrants since Donald Trump‘s second term, with a total of 59,000 people arrested nationwide, many of whom have no criminal records.

The lack of convictions among those detained has been contrasted with data from federal records, which reveal that nearly half of those arrested are not facing charges or convictions, representing 47 percent of the total. In comparison, less than 30 percent have ever been convicted of a crime.

This accounting shows that ICE is operating at 140 percent of its capacity, complicating the implementation of the government plan initiated by Trump, which initially contemplated up to 1,200 detentions daily.

This figure has increased to 3,000 today, despite Congress assigning 41,500 beds to the agency. “ICE is exploring various alternatives to meet its current and future detention needs. However, more space is required for undocumented immigrants while they await their deportation,” the agency stated in an official communication.

Two former ICE officials told local media that they had never seen the agency detain so many people at once. In addition to arbitrary detentions, migrant individuals face violence when arrested, as they are beaten, mistreated, and handcuffed.

This measure is part of the campaign promises made by Donald Trump in November, under the commitment to expel from the country all those who violate national security and civil rights.

However, the excessive escalation of raids has provoked protests in Los Angeles, California, where protesters have demanded an end to these actions and police violence.

In response to these manifestations in Los Angeles and other cities, the president assured that there would be no raids in sectors linked to construction, hotels, and restaurants, areas that are essential for the economy, according to Trump.

With information from Cubadebate

Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez

Radio Angulo
Latest posts by Radio Angulo (see all)