Immigration detention passed 70,000 in January

By: Tim Henderson

Outlets: Stateline

Published: February 5, 2026

Words: 312

Last Updated: 1 week, 3 days ago

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Despite the high-profile U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota, ICE arrests were down slightly in January compared to December, according to new data.

Immigrant detention nationwide also reached a new high in January, and a growing percentage — nearly three-quarters — of people in detention have no criminal convictions.

ICE arrested 36,579 people in January compared with December (37,842); the numbers haven’t changed much since October (36,621), according to new estimates from …

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