Trump's ICE delivers on border security: 33,000 illegal aliens arrested in just 50 days

By avagrace // 2025-03-18

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In the first 50 days of Trump's second administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 33,000 illegal aliens –including 1,000 gang members, 39 terrorism-linked individuals, and 14,000 convicted criminals – exceeding Biden's FY2024 at-large arrests.
ICE intensified immigration enforcement, ending "catch and release," detaining violators, and arresting 44 foreign fugitives and 29 suspected terrorists.
ICE operates at full capacity with 47,000 detention beds filled, risking space constraints and potential releases without additional congressional funding.
ICE collaborates with local law enforcement via the 287(g) program, partners with federal agencies for detention space, and uses tools like the CBP Home app to prioritize high-priority cases.

The second Trump administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested approximately 33,000 illegal aliens across the United States in the first 50 days of President Donald Trump’s administration. This number not only surpasses the total number of at-large arrests made in Fiscal Year 2024 under former President Joe Biden, but also underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to restoring law and order to America's immigration system. The arrests, which took place between Jan. 20 and March 10, include 14,000 convicted criminals, 9,800 individuals with pending criminal charges and 1,155 suspected gang members. Also included were include more than 1,000 suspected gang members and 39 individuals linked to terrorism. Moreover, 44 foreign fugitives and 29 known or suspected terrorists were apprehended, highlighting the critical role ICE plays in safeguarding national security. These numbers far exceed the 483 gang-related arrests recorded during the same period last year, signaling a dramatic shift in enforcement priorities. ICE officials attribute this success to the agency's renewed focus on its core mission: Enforcing immigration laws and protecting American communities from criminal aliens. (Related: ICE detentions soar to highest level since 2019 as Trump administration tightens immigration policies.) Under the Trump administration, ICE has been unleashed from the constraints of the previous administration, which critics argue prioritized political correctness over public safety. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons emphasized that the agency has ended the controversial "catch and release" policy, which allowed illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. while awaiting court hearings. Instead, ICE is now arresting and detaining individuals who violate immigration laws, ensuring they face consequences for their actions.

Challenges ahead: Detention space and funding

A significant portion of these arrests was made possible through the 287(g) program, a partnership between ICE and local law enforcement agencies. This program allows trained local officers to assist in identifying and detaining criminal illegal aliens, effectively expanding ICE's reach and efficiency. Combined with at-large arrests and the Criminal Alien Program, which targets incarcerated individuals who are in the country illegally, ICE has been able to achieve unprecedented results in a short period. Despite these successes, ICE faces significant challenges, particularly regarding detention space. The agency is currently operating at full capacity, with approximately 47,000 detention beds occupied. Officials have warned that without additional funding from Congress, they may be forced to release detained individuals due to space constraints. To address this issue, ICE is collaborating with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to secure additional detention space. The agency is also urging Congress to allocate more resources to support its enforcement efforts. The Trump administration's aggressive enforcement strategy sends a clear message to those who violate U.S. immigration laws: There will be consequences. Lyons stated that these arrests are "just the start," with plans to further increase enforcement measures in the coming months. While ICE has not yet disclosed the total number of deportations since Trump took office, officials confirmed that removals are occurring at an accelerated rate. The agency is also utilizing innovative tools, such as the CBP Home phone application, to encourage illegal aliens to self-deport, saving valuable resources for more pressing cases. The Trump administration’s achievements stand in stark contrast to the Biden era, which ICE officials accused of "cooking the books" on arrest data. Under the previous administration, tens of thousands of migrants were counted as arrests despite being processed and released back into American communities without enforcement action. This practice, according to Lyons, undermined ICE’s mission and allowed dangerous individuals to remain at large. Trump campaigned on a promise to secure the border and enforce immigration laws and the American people responded with their votes. In just 50 days, his administration has delivered on that promise. The message is clear: Under Trump, the era of lax enforcement is over and the rule of law has been restored. Watch this video about the deportation of 538 illegal immigrants, including dangerous gang members. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Challenges ahead: Detention space and funding

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