70,805 people as of the end of December, according to the agency. That’s a 73.5% increase from the same period a year prior.
70.8K
73.5%
ICE is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is primarily responsible for enforcing immigration laws within US borders. This involves detaining, arresting, and deporting unauthorized immigrants.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem designated immigration enforcement as a top priority at the start of the second Trump administration. DHS later announced expanding detention space “by the thousands” at sites across the country.
Just under 14,000 people were in ICE detention at the end of February 2021 — a recent low. Since then, the detained population has increased five-fold, including from 40,500 to 70,805 since the start of Trump’s second term on January 20, 2025.
There are 73.5% more people in ICE detention than a year ago.
ICE detainee population, July 2020–December 2025
When are immigrants detained by ICE?
Immigrants arrested by ICE or transferred to ICE custody may be detained for a variety of reasons, including:
- When mandated by law, including in the case of immigrants convicted of specific crimes such as those involving terrorism or “moral turpitude” (defined as conduct that shocks the public conscience as being inherently base, vile, or depraved)
- While awaiting immigration proceedings or deportation
- When ICE determines they are a public safety risk
In other cases, ICE uses its discretion to determine the conditions of release.
Where are ICE detainees held?
As of December 26, 2025, there are 212 ICE detention centers in active use — 108 more facilities than were active in January 2025. ICE may also have access to other facilities, including medical and juvenile centers.
Some facilities are operated by ICE, while others are run through partnerships with local government or independent contractors.
ICE has 103 more active detention facilities in 2026 than in 2024.
ICE detention centers with an average daily population of at least 1 person, FYs 2022–2026
The centers averaging the most detainees per day in fiscal year 2026 are:
- ERO El Paso Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas (2,902)
- Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi (2,184)
- Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia (2,001)
- Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California (1,814)
- South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas (1,746)
ICE has 212 active detention facilities.
ICE detention centers, sized by average daily detainee population, October 1–December 26, 2025
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.