ICE Arrests Plummet in LA Area After 2025 Surge

Federal data shows a sharp drop in immigration enforcement activity in the region this year.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:20am

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Due to federal records requests filed by the Deportation Data Project, new data shows that ICE arrests in the Los Angeles area have plummeted this year after surging in 2025. The data reveals a significant drop in arrests, with over 1,500 people arrested in January 2026 falling to just 809 in February.

Why it matters

The sharp decline in ICE arrests in the LA area comes after increased scrutiny and pressure on the agency following the deaths of protestors during a crackdown in 2025. The data provides insight into shifting immigration enforcement priorities and tactics under the current administration.

The details

In 2024, ICE made 4,684 arrests in the LA area. That number surged to 14,302 arrests in President Trump's first year, before falling sharply this year. The data shows that 39% of those arrested had no prior criminal history, and over half were born in Mexico. Immigration attorneys say ICE has 'pulled back' and is now using more intelligence gathering to target those with existing removal orders.

  • In 2024, ICE made 4,684 arrests in the LA area.
  • In President Trump's first year, ICE made 14,302 arrests in the LA area.
  • So far in 2026, ICE has arrested over 2,612 people in the LA area.
  • ICE arrests peaked in June 2025 with nearly 2,500 arrests.
  • Arrests fell from over 1,500 in January 2026 to just 809 in February 2026.

The players

Deportation Data Project

A group that has filed federal records requests to obtain data on ICE arrests.

Meredith Bown

An immigration attorney who says ICE has 'pulled back' and is using more intelligence gathering.

Renee Good

A protestor who died during an ICE crackdown in Minneapolis in 2025.

Alex Pretti

A protestor who died during an ICE crackdown in Minneapolis in 2025.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees ICE, which disputed the accuracy of the Deportation Data Project's findings.

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What they’re saying

“They (ICE) have pulled back in general. They're trying to use more intelligence, more data gathering to look for people who have removal orders.”

— Meredith Bown, Immigration Attorney

“Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump's promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. We will continue to deliver on the President's promise to make America safe again.”

— U.S. Department of Homeland Security

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has disputed the accuracy of the Deportation Data Project's findings, and it remains to be seen how the agency will respond to the sharp drop in ICE arrests in the LA area.

The takeaway

The plunge in ICE arrests in the LA region after a 2025 surge highlights the shifting priorities and tactics of immigration enforcement under the current administration, as the agency faces increased scrutiny and pressure from advocacy groups and the public.