ICE Arrests Increase and Raise Concerns About Aggressive Tactics

 Posted on October 19, 2026 in Criminal Defense

Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, his administration has focused on detaining and deporting immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has targeted immigrants who are allegedly undocumented or whose immigration status is in question, arresting tens of thousands of people and taking steps to remove them from the United States. The administration’s efforts have raised concerns about aggressive tactics, including the use of new technologies that may cause pain and inflict injuries. 

Trump administration officials have stated that their goal is to arrest and deport immigrants who are considered to be dangerous because they have committed crimes. Because of this, a significant number of cases involve criminal charges as well as alleged violations of immigration laws. Immigrants and their family members will need to understand how criminal cases will affect immigration cases and vice versa. A criminal defense lawyer who has experience representing immigrants can provide the guidance needed in these situations, helping families determine the best steps to take to resolve criminal cases while avoiding immigration consequences.

ICE Arrests Continue to Increase

During the summer of 2026, ICE increased its efforts to detain and deport immigrants. In June, 43,000 people were arrested, and another 49,000 were arrested in July. Markwayne Mullin, the Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that the goal for ICE was to arrest 2,000 people per day. 

ICE has increased the number of arrests by hiring new agents. The total number of agents has increased from around 21,000 when Donald Trump took office in 2021 to around 29,000 in 2026. At the same time, ICE is working with local law enforcement to perform arrests. Under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE can deputize local police officers, allowing them to arrest immigrants. Currently, 287(g) accounts for around 14 percent of all immigrants who have been detained.

When discussing the surge in ICE arrests, Trump administration officials have stated that their goal is to detain and deport people who have committed crimes. However, the vast majority of ICE arrests involve people who have been charged with civil immigration violations and have never been charged with or convicted of a crime. Immigrants with past convictions for violent crimes made up less than 4 percent of all arrests. 

ICE Tactics Raise Concerns About Safety

As ICE officers arrest immigrants, they have been criticized for their use of violence. Officers have shot and killed multiple people in different states, and they have used aggressive tactics in other situations, including when confronting protestors or detaining immigrants. In many cases, there has been little oversight, and officers have not been held accountable for actions that have led to serious harm.

Additional concerns about these tactics have been raised due to news about ICE’s plans to use gloves that deliver electric shocks. The Department of Homeland Security published a notice stating that ICE had entered into a contract to spend up to $20 million dollars to purchase these gloves, which are known as Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (G.L.O.V.E.) devices. 

The shock gloves have been used by some police departments and prison officials to control prisoners or people who have been arrested. They emit painful electric shocks that are meant to force people to comply with officers. Based on ICE’s history of using excessive force, people are concerned that these gloves will be misused. The use of these devices could put people at risk of serious harm, including those who suffer from health conditions.

Contact Our Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers

As ICE continues to detain large numbers of people, issues related to criminal charges may need to be addressed. Immigrants who are arrested by police officers could be transferred into ICE custody, or the results of a criminal case could put a person at risk of deportation. To make sure the rights of immigrants or others who have been arrested will be protected, it is crucial to work with a lawyer who can help defend against criminal charges. At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our Hartford criminal defense attorneys can provide the representation needed in criminal courts while advising clients on the ways they can avoid immigration consequences. Contact us at 860-290-8690 to arrange a free consultation today.