At Hope Immigration, we believe that everyone deserves dignity, fairness, and a day in court, no matter where they were born. That’s why we’re speaking out about the alarming rise in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids happening across the country. These raids are not just deeply troubling; they are inhumane, profoundly unethical, and often unconstitutional.
Increased ICE Activity
ICE has dramatically increased its enforcement efforts since President Trump took office again in January. They are now detaining record numbers of people, not just at the border, but inside the U.S. Although ICE targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal history is nothing new, recent data indicates that 65% of individuals detained this fiscal year had no criminal convictions at all. Even among those with records, over 93% were not convicted of violent crimes.
Despite what officials may claim, these raids are not targeting violent criminals. Instead, they are sweeping up parents, children, longtime residents, asylum seekers, and even individuals regularly checking in with immigration authorities. From workplaces to homes to courthouses, immigrants are being arrested not because they pose a danger, but simply because they are here.
Mass Arrests Without Just Cause
Because of this, it seems that the sharp increase in arrests is the result of a political directive, rather than a concern for public safety. Instead of focusing on the safety of our communities overall, ICE targets anyone who appears to be an immigrant, rather than focusing on those posing actual threats.
ICE officers are now under pressure to meet daily arrest quotas, as high as 3,000 arrests per day. Because of this, arrest rates of non-criminal immigrants are about fourteen times higher than they were before. Many of these immigrants have no history of violence or any criminal background at all, and are often in the process of obtaining some sort of status. With this new outlook on detention, it becomes a numbers game that focuses on the number of bodies in detention centers, rather than seeking justice.
Cruelty Over Justice
Instead, families are being torn apart. Children are being left without parents. Immigrants with no criminal history and deep roots in the U.S.—some here for decades—are being detained and deported without meaningful review of their cases.
Many are held in overcrowded, unsanitary facilities that are now running nearly $1 billion over budget. Even ICE officers have spoken out, saying this approach wastes resources and forces them to ignore actual threats in favor of easy, quota-filling arrests.
This isn’t about safety. This is cruelty for the sake of numbers.
Rights When Detained
If you or a loved one is detained by ICE, it is important to remember that you have rights. It is understandably a scary situation, but there are ways to protect yourself. Remain calm and be aware of everything in order to ensure that your rights are being protected.
If you are detained, do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer, and do not trust ICE officers who claim that signing will help you return home sooner. You have the right to legal counsel—fight for it.
ICE also has an online detainee locator system that will allow your attorney or family to find you in the system. They will need your A-number or country, and date of birth. In some cases, detainees may be released on their own recognizance or with a bond. Immigration court case information can be found on the Immigration Court website by entering the A-number.
In short, if detained:
- Do not sign anything before consulting with a lawyer.
- Do not trust ICE agents who make claims about signing documents.
- You may be released on your own recognizance or with a bond.
- Your family can locate you using the ICE detainee locator.
- Immigration court information is available online.
You can read more about Know Your Rights here.
We Must Do Better
We at Hope Immigration stand firmly against these tactics. We support policies that prioritize public safety and fair, effective immigration enforcement—but cruelty is not a strategy. Mass raids that disproportionately target families, children, and individuals without criminal records do not make our communities safer. They only spread fear and erode trust.
We believe that everyone deserves due process, and no child should live in fear of losing their parent(s). Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and have their legal rights protected, regardless of status, and immigrants with no history of violence should not be treated like criminals.
We call on lawmakers to demand transparency and accountability from ICE. We urge the public to stand up against policies that prioritize political optics over human lives. And we remain committed to fighting for our clients and community members who deserve safety, fairness, and hope.
If you or someone you love is impacted by an ICE raid or facing detention, know that you are not alone, and you have rights.
Thank you to Migrant Insider for sharing this information in depth: