DHS: Around 7,000 Gang Members Arrested in 2025

Crackdown on illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations under Trump administration

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

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According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested around 7,000 gang members during the first year of President Donald Trump's second term. These criminals were convicted of a range of crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking and carjacking. The administration has taken a hardline stance on illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations, with the DHS secretary stating that nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. in the last year due to the crackdown.

Why it matters

The Trump administration's aggressive approach to tackling gang violence and illegal immigration has been a major focus, with the president issuing executive orders to strengthen federal law enforcement against transnational criminal organizations. This crackdown has faced some opposition, with protests against ICE actions, but the administration touts significant declines in the murder rate and disruption of criminal enterprises.

The details

According to the DHS statement, the 7,000 gang members arrested were convicted of a range of serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking and carjacking. The Department of Justice defines gangs as an association of three or more individuals who band together under a group identity and engage in criminal activities. Data from the FBI shows there were over 69,000 incidents involving gang activity from 2021-2024, with more than half involving violent offenses like murder, assault, rape and robbery. The administration has taken a hardline stance, with Trump issuing executive orders to crack down on transnational criminal organizations and designating some as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

  • In February 2017, Trump ordered federal law enforcement agencies to prioritize efforts against transnational criminal organizations.
  • On his first day in office in his second term, Trump declared a national emergency against cartel organizations.
  • During 2025, the DHS arrested 43,305 potential national security risks and 1,416 known or suspected terrorists, removing 1,392 from the country.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States during his second term from 2021-2025, who took a hardline stance against illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who lauded the administration's first-year law enforcement efforts against illegal immigration and criminal gangs.

Tricia McLaughlin

The Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, who stated that the arrested gang members "murdered, assaulted, robbed and terrorized innocent Americans" and should never have been in the country.

Kash Patel

The Director of the FBI, who announced a 20% drop in the murder rate nationwide and the disruption of around 1,800 gangs and criminal enterprises in 2025.

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales

A high-ranking MS-13 member captured by the FBI in March 2025.

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What they’re saying

“When we say we are targeting the worst of the worst, this is exactly what we mean.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (signalscv.com)

“These vicious criminals murdered, assaulted, robbed and terrorized innocent Americans for sport. But under President Trump's and Secretary (Kristi) Noem's leadership, ICE is turbocharged to arrest even more gang members and make America safe again.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (signalscv.com)

“In President Trump's first year back in office, nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. because of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, including an estimated 2.2 million self-deportations and more than 675,000 deportations.”

— Kristi Noem, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (signalscv.com)

“In the last year, fentanyl trafficking at the southern border has also been cut by more than half compared to the same period in 2024. The U.S. Coast Guard alone seized enough cocaine to kill more than 177 million Americans.”

— Kristi Noem, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (signalscv.com)

What’s next

The administration is expected to continue its aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations, with the DHS secretary stating that nearly 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. in the last year due to the administration's policies.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's hardline stance on illegal immigration and gang violence has led to a significant increase in arrests and deportations of criminal aliens, as well as disruption of transnational criminal organizations. However, this approach has faced some opposition, with protests against ICE actions, raising questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties.