ICE Detention Population Hits Record 73,000 — 84% Increase Since January 2025

As of late March 2026, approximately 73,000 immigrants were held in ICE detention — the highest number ever recorded and an 84 percent increase from approximately 39,000 at the start of the Trump administration. Over 70 percent of detainees had no criminal record, and 95 percent had never been convicted of a violent crime. Congress had authorized $45 billion in new detention funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with analysts warning the system could more than triple in size over four years. ICE was using 104 more facilities than at the start of 2025, a 91 percent increase. 2025 was the deadliest year on record for ICE custody, with 2026 tracking to surpass it.