In early 2026, a national debate erupted after CBS News reported on internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data about immigration enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The figures covered arrests from January 2025 to January 2026 and showed that fewer than 14% of nearly 400,000 people arrested had charges or convictions for violent crimes such as homicide, robbery, or sexual assault.

The report appeared to contradict repeated statements from the White House and DHS officials that enforcement focused mainly on the “worst of the worst” offenders. According to the data, about 60% of those arrested had some form of criminal charge or conviction, but most were for non-violent offenses. Nearly 40% had no criminal record and were detained primarily for immigration violations such as illegal entry or overstaying visas.

The Trump administration disputed the report’s interpretation, arguing that many arrested individuals still posed public safety risks. Officials noted that some may have criminal histories outside the United States and emphasized that serious non-violent crimes—such as drug trafficking, fraud, or human smuggling—can still be dangerous. They also criticized the focus on violent crime percentages, saying it ignored broader criminal involvement.

Independent analysts say the data reflects a complex picture. While most ICE arrestees had some criminal history, only a small share were linked to violent offenses. Researchers also caution that definitions of “violent” and “non-violent” crimes, reporting differences, and incomplete records make simple statistics difficult to interpret. The debate highlights broader questions about enforcement priorities, public safety, civil liberties, and how immigration data is presented to the public.