In a report that has shaken immigrant communities across the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons revealed record numbers of arrests during the first full year of Donald Trump’s second administration.
Between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2026, ICE has executed 379,000 arrests, marking an unprecedented offensive in border and interior enforcement policy.
The profile of the arrests
.@RepDanGoldman to ICE Acting Dir. Todd Lyons: “People are simply making valid observations about your tactics, which are un-American and outright fascist…If you don’t want to be called a fascist regime or secret police, then stop acting like one.” pic.twitter.com/xZnBQj5pOZ
– CSPAN (@cspan) February 10, 2026
During his appearance before Congress on Tuesday, Lyons broke down the profiles of the detainees to justify the aggressiveness of the federal tactics.
According to the official, the operation has not only sought people with pending deportation orders, but has prioritized national security.
“Among those detained are more than 7,000 suspected gang members and more than 1,400 known or suspected terrorists,” Lyons said, stressing that the administration’s policy is that anyone who enters illegally must be “held accountable.”
Tension in the streets and tragedy in Minnesota
That he never had a gun in his hands and that the ICE agent executed him in cold blood while Alex Pretti was on his knees, according to @JulianMaciasT ‘s analysis of this video. pic.twitter.com/oen6ukifWU
– epigmenio ibarra (@epigmenioibarra) January 25, 2026
However, ICE’s enforcement arm faces fierce scrutiny due to recent incidents that have raised alarms about the use of force.
The administration has had to cool raids in Minnesota following a wave of citizen protests.
Outrage erupted following the deaths of two U.S. citizens who were shot and killed by federal agents during immigration raids.
This event has generated debate about the “collateral damage” of mass raids and the lack of transparency protocols.
Congress in limbo: DHS shutdown?
“That child that you’re showing right there, the men and women of ICE took care of him when his father abandoned him and ran from law enforcement.”
The child’s father ran from law enforcement and left his son behind in the freezing, Minnesota cold.
When ICE brought the child to… pic.twitter.com/H0s2kNyLum
– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 10, 2026
The political battle in Washington is at a critical point.
Democrats have conditioned funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on immediate structural changes to ICE tactics.
Among the main demands to avoid the shutdown this weekend are:
Warrants: Prohibit agents from entering homes without a warrant signed by a judge (currently internal administrative warrants are often used).
Identification of agents: Prohibit the use of masks or hoods that conceal the faces of officers during operations.
If there is no agreement by Friday at midnight, the department that manages border security and immigration processing will run out of operating funds.
Reader’s Guide: What does this mean to you?
For our U.S. Hispanic audience, the current situation calls for caution and awareness of their fundamental rights:
Right to silence: Before any ICE detention, you have the right not to testify about your immigration status without the presence of an attorney.
Do not open the door: Unless the officer presents a warrant (not an administrative one) slid under the door, you are not required to allow entry into your home.
Emergency plan: In view of the increase in arrests, it is vital to have on hand the documents of citizen children and contacts of free legal aid organizations.
Filed under: ICE Arrests 2026
