U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently operating below capacity, with an average daily detention count of just 58,000, internal sources report. This marks a significant decline from the peak of nearly 72,000 detainees recorded in January and follows a $38 billion investment to expand detention facilities.
Capacity Outpaces Demand
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed the trend, stating, 'ICE actually has more capacity right now than they have people in custody.' Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed this sentiment, noting that ICE's family detention center in Dilley, Texas, is also far from full, eliminating the need for additional space.
'The detention center is not even close to being at capacity,' Mullin said at a press conference.
Shift in Enforcement Strategy
The decline in detainees follows a shift in ICE's enforcement strategy after the Trump administration scaled back aggressive city-wide operations in the wake of the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. This departure from earlier priorities has raised questions about resource allocation and enforcement effectiveness.
Despite the current downturn, ICE's arrest, detention, and deportation rates remain higher than during President Biden's tenure. However, the agency is falling short of its target of 3,000 daily arrests, a goal set by former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller during the Trump administration.
This development underscores ongoing challenges in immigration enforcement and the need for policies that prioritize American sovereignty and the rule of law.