Taken in 90 seconds: How quiet ICE immigration arrests hit an all-time high in the US
ICE now makes immigration arrests in about 90 seconds, often with local police, and July's total of nearly 50,000 was a record. How the tactics changed and what the new visa rules mean.
An ‘invisibilized’ ICE is arresting more people than ever. (File Photo)
The US government has changed how it carries out immigration arrests, but the number of arrests has not fallen. According to The Guardian, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made nearly 50,000 arrests in July, the highest monthly figure on record. After two US citizens were killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump said in February that the government could use “a softer touch”.
Markwayne Mullin, who took over as homeland security secretary in March, said he wanted the agency out of the news every day. Large street raids and armoured vehicles have mostly stopped. In their place are short, quiet arrests at petrol stations, shops, airports and traffic stops, often carried out with local police. Lawyers say the change makes ICE harder to see and people harder to protect.
Quieter arrests, more of them
Lawyers say the raids of last year have given way to fast, low-profile arrests. Gracie Willis, an attorney at the National Immigration Project, told The Guardian that some detentions take about 90 seconds and happen with “very soft feet”.
Gone are the mass raids and militarized metro operations. (File Photo)
People have been held while taking out rubbish, putting a child on a school bus, buying petrol and travelling to work. Airports are now a focus. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it wants people in the country illegally to fly only when leaving it. DHS declined to discuss its tactics.
Local police, more staff and more money
Congress has given DHS $75bn. The agency has more than doubled its workforce this year to over 22,000 officers and staff. As of 15 September, ICE had signed more than 2,500 “287(g)” agreements, which let local police and sheriffs act on its behalf.
Willis calls this the “invisibilising” of immigration enforcement, because it is hard to tell whether an officer is doing routine policing or immigration work. On 29 August in Memphis, a police search for drugs and gambling at a bar ended with 120 people detained over their immigration status.
Of those held since Trump took office last year, 46% had a prior criminal conviction.
Mistakes and rule changes
Lawyers say local officers often misread immigration rules. Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an attorney in Austin, said her client Brian José Morales García, 25, was deported to Mexico last month after telling officers he was a US citizen born in Denver. He was allowed back after she filed documents proving his citizenship.
The government has also widened the groups it can detain:
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The supreme court cleared the way to end temporary protections for 350,000 Haitians and Syrians.
About 170,000 Salvadorans are waiting to hear if their protections will continue.
Removal orders issued in absentia rose 55% in June to 53,808, after courts held large last-minute hearings that many people missed.
More than 23,000 people have been sent in the past year to countries where they have no ties.
ICE arrests have hit record levels. (File Photo)
The government is expected to revoke the business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 foreigners in the coming weeks. A new rule lets officials refuse permanent residence if an applicant or certain relatives use public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps or student aid.
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments.
A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences.
Experience
Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting.
At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways.
Expertise
Her core areas of reporting include:
• Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information.
• Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments.
• Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities.
Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
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An ‘invisibilized’ ICE is arresting more people than ever. (File Photo) 
