News from TRAC

36,571 Immigrants Held in ICE Detention Latest Data Show

(29 May 2024) ICE’s detention numbers remain consistent over the past few weeks with the latest numbers released today showing that 36,571 immigrants were held in detention as of May 19, 2024. According to ICE’s data, 27 percent of immigrants in detention have criminal convictions; another 12 percent have pending criminal charges and the majority, 62 percent, only show immigration violations on record.

The latest data now show that as of May 18, 2024, 2,975 immigrants—up from 2,153 about two weeks ago—are now monitored using VeriWatch, a wristworn GPS monitor. ICE’s growing use of the VeriWatch is reflected across the country, with the three largest cohorts of immigrants on VeriWatch concentrated in ICE’s regions headquartered in Harlingen (488), Seattle (365), and Los Angeles (362). One year ago, in May 2023 when ICE first released data on its pilot program to test the technology in Denver, just 50 immigrants were on this technology. The ICE regional offices monitoring the most immigrants on ATD overall are San Francisco (18,221), Chicago (17,601), and Los Angeles (14,151).

Highlights from data updated in TRAC's Detention Quick Facts tool show that:

Immigration and Customs Enforcement held 36,571 in ICE detention according to data current as of May 19, 2024.
22,520 out of 36,571—or 61.6%—held in ICE detention have no criminal record, according to data current as of May 19, 2024. Many more have only minor offenses, including traffic violations.
ICE relied on detention facilities in Texas to house the most people during FY 2024, according to data current as of May 13, 2024.
ICE arrested 8,440 and CBP arrested 15,534 of the 23,974 people booked into detention by ICE during April 2024.
South Texas Fam Residential Center in Dilley, Texas held the largest number of ICE detainees so far in FY 2024, averaging 1,814 per day (as of May 2024).
ICE Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs are currently monitoring 184,083 families and single individuals, according to data current as of May 18, 2024.
San Francisco's area office has highest number in ICE's Alternatives to Detention (ATD) monitoring programs, according to data current as of May 18, 2024.

TRAC’s Immigration Quick Facts provides the latest data on immigrant detention, immigration court cases, and immigration prosecutions in federal court. Each page includes several key data points alongside a graphic or table, a short description for context, and a link to more data. Visit trac.syr.edu/immigration/quickfacts for more information.