Majority of Virginia ICE Detainees Have No Criminal Convictions

Data shows most held in Central Virginia facilities have not committed violent crimes, despite Trump administration rhetoric

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A realistic, cinematic painting of a single-story immigration detention center building in muted earth tones, with warm diagonal sunlight casting long shadows across the structure, conceptually representing the disconnect between the political rhetoric and the actual detainee population.The somber reality of immigration detention centers in Virginia, where the majority of those held have no criminal convictions, contradicts the Trump administration's rhetoric on 'migrant crime'.Richmond Today

Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, Central Virginia's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers have seen nearly 15,000 bookings - and almost none of those detainees were violent criminals, gang members or terrorists, despite his administration's rhetoric. The vast majority of people being detained by ICE throughout the state have no criminal convictions, with over 70% having never been convicted of a crime.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that immigration crackdowns are necessary to combat 'migrant crime,' but the data shows these assertions are not supported by the actual profiles of detainees in Virginia. This highlights the disconnect between the administration's rhetoric and the reality of who is being targeted by ICE enforcement.

The details

Between Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025 and March 10, there have been about 14,687 total bookings at the two formal ICE detention centers in Central Virginia and a regional jail that houses ICE detainees. Of those, over 70% have never been convicted of a crime, while just 1% are considered 'aggravated felons.' The most common convictions were for driving under the influence, assault, and traffic offenses. Only 140 detainees were believed to be terrorists and 415 were suspected of gang activity.

  • Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, Central Virginia's ICE detention centers have seen nearly 15,000 bookings.
  • As of March 10, data was collected on the bookings into Virginia's two formal detention centers and a Central Virginia jail from Jan. 20, 2025 until that date.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has made cracking down on immigration a key part of his administration's agenda.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including operating detention centers across the country.

Kilmar Abrego-Garcia

An individual who was wrongly deported and booked into the Farmville Detention Center in August 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This data contradicts the Trump administration's claims that immigration crackdowns are necessary to combat 'migrant crime,' highlighting the disconnect between rhetoric and reality when it comes to who is being targeted by ICE enforcement in Virginia. It raises questions about the true motivations behind the administration's hardline immigration policies.