ICE arrests drop after Minneapolis crackdown backlash

WASHINGTON/MINNEAPOLIS — Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have fallen sharply in recent weeks, marking a notable shift in enforcement following deadly incidents and mounting public backlash tied to a controversial immigration crackdown.

New data shows arrests dropped by nearly 12% nationwide after the killing of two U.S. citizens during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis triggered a political and operational reset.

A peak followed by a rapid decline

At the height of the crackdown, ICE operations surged across major states, with aggressive tactics deployed in cities like Minneapolis and in states including Texas, Florida and California.

Weekly arrests reached nearly 40,000 in December, according to data analyzed by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley.

But after late January, enforcement activity declined:

• Average weekly arrests fell from 8,347 to 7,369
• Overall drop: nearly 12% nationwide
• Decline concentrated in large states like Minnesota and Texas

Killings trigger policy shake-up

The turning point came after two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

The incident sparked widespread criticism and intensified scrutiny of the administration’s tactics.

In response:

• Kristi Noem was removed from her position
• Senior officials overseeing enforcement were reassigned
• Federal presence in Minneapolis was scaled back

Tom Homan was sent to the region to oversee a revised approach, announcing a reduction of agents in early February.

Not a uniform slowdown nationwide

Despite the national decline, enforcement trends vary significantly by state.

Arrests increased in several areas, including:

• Kentucky
• Indiana
• North Carolina
• Florida

In Kentucky, weekly arrests more than doubled, reaching their highest levels since the start of Donald Trump’s current term.

These increases offset sharp declines elsewhere, suggesting a redistribution rather than a full rollback of enforcement efforts.

Who is being arrested?

The administration maintains it is targeting serious offenders, often described by Trump as “the worst of the worst.”

However, the data paints a more complex picture:

• 41% of arrests after Feb. 4 involved individuals with no criminal record
• Before that, the figure was even higher at 46%
• Both exceed the long-term average since Trump returned to office

Many individuals detained include:

• Workers stopped in routine traffic checks
• Parents of U.S. citizen children
• Professionals accused of immigration violations rather than crimes

Signs of a tactical shift — or temporary pause?

Legal filings across the country indicate that enforcement remains active, even as arrest totals decline.

Cases include:

• A Honduran man with no criminal history detained in California
• A Venezuelan doctor arrested in Texas while accompanying her child

Advocates say these examples suggest that, while tactics may have softened in some regions, the broader strategy remains intact.

Uncertain direction for immigration policy

Experts caution it is too early to determine whether the decline signals a lasting change.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council said the data points to a pullback from the most aggressive tactics used in what was known as “Operation Metro Surge.”

Still, officials insist enforcement priorities remain unchanged.

“The administration says nothing has changed,” he noted. “But the data shows at least some recalibration.”

A policy under pressure

The shift comes amid rising political pressure, public scrutiny and legal challenges tied to immigration enforcement practices.

While arrests remain historically high, the recent decline highlights the tension between enforcement goals and public response — a dynamic likely to shape U.S. immigration policy in the months ahead.