Criminal Aliens in US 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Criminal Aliens in America 2025

The landscape of immigration enforcement and criminal activity among undocumented populations in the United States has experienced substantial shifts throughout 2025. Federal agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have documented detailed patterns of arrests, detentions, and removals involving individuals with prior criminal convictions. The term “criminal aliens” specifically refers to noncitizens who have been convicted of crimes either in the United States or abroad prior to their interdiction by federal authorities, representing a critical intersection of immigration policy and public safety concerns that demands careful examination of verified federal statistics.

Understanding the current state of criminal aliens in the US in 2025 requires analysis of comprehensive data from multiple federal agencies. These statistics provide essential insights into enforcement patterns, conviction types, demographic distributions, and broader trends that inform both policy decisions and public discourse. The data reveals complex patterns that go beyond simple narratives, showing significant year-over-year changes in apprehension rates, conviction categories, and enforcement priorities. From fiscal year statistics maintained by CBP to detention records tracked by ICE, government databases offer an evidence-based foundation for understanding how criminal activity among undocumented populations manifests across different regions, offense categories, and enforcement contexts throughout this pivotal year.

Interesting Facts About Criminal Aliens in the US 2025

Data Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Criminal Alien Statistics, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics, TRAC Immigration Reports (October-November 2025)

The data presented reveals substantial shifts in both enforcement patterns and criminal conviction trends among criminal aliens apprehended in 2025. Border Patrol arrests of individuals with prior criminal convictions have decreased dramatically across virtually every offense category when comparing partial FY 2025 data through June against complete FY 2024 figures. The 60.1% reduction in property crimes and 61.4% decline in DUI violations suggest either more effective pre-screening mechanisms, reduced overall border crossing attempts, or enhanced intelligence gathering by federal authorities prior to apprehension. Meanwhile, the 62.1% drop in weapons-related charges represents the most significant single-category decrease, falling from 232 cases to just 88 cases in the comparable period.

However, ICE detention statistics tell a more complex story about interior enforcement priorities. While government officials emphasize that 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes, actual detention snapshots reveal that 73.6% of the 65,135 individuals held in ICE facilities as of November 16, 2025 have no criminal conviction whatsoever. This apparent contradiction stems from the difference between arrest populations and detention populations, with many criminal arrestees processed quickly for removal while non-criminal detainees may remain in custody longer pending immigration proceedings. The 752 murder convicts and 1,693 sexual assault convicts arrested through May 2025 represent just a fraction of the 13,099 and 15,811 such individuals respectively that ICE has identified as present in the United States, highlighting the ongoing challenge of locating and apprehending serious criminal offenders who may have never had contact with immigration enforcement.

Criminal Alien Apprehensions by Conviction Type in the US 2025

Data Source: U.S. Border Patrol Criminal Alien Statistics, Fiscal Years 2024-2025 (CBP.gov)

Border Patrol apprehensions of criminal aliens in the US in 2025 demonstrate consistent declines across all conviction categories when comparing partial year FY 2025 data through June with the complete FY 2024 fiscal year. The 50.6% overall reduction in total arrests, dropping from 12,064 to 5,954 individuals, reflects multiple converging factors including enhanced border security measures implemented in early 2025, reduced overall migration flows, and potentially more effective pre-screening procedures that prevent individuals with serious criminal histories from attempting illegal entry. Dangerous drug-related convictions remain the largest single category with 2,142 arrests, though this represents a 42.5% decrease from the 3,725 drug-related arrests recorded in the previous complete fiscal year.

The most significant reductions appear in property crimes and impaired driving violations, with weapons charges showing the steepest decline at 62.1% and DUI violations falling 61.4% year-over-year. Sexual offenses decreased from 221 to 89 cases, marking a 59.7% reduction that aligns with broader enforcement patterns. Violent crimes including homicide, manslaughter, and assault collectively declined, with homicide cases dropping from 29 to just 15 instances—a 48.3% decrease that represents the lowest number recorded in recent years according to CBP data. These statistics indicate that either fewer individuals with serious criminal backgrounds are attempting border crossings, or federal screening and intelligence mechanisms have become substantially more effective at identifying and interdicting such individuals before they enter the United States. The “Other” category, which encompasses convictions not classified in standard categories, also showed a 52.3% reduction with 1,833 arrests compared to 3,842 in FY 2024.

ICE Detention and Removal Statistics for Criminal Aliens in the US 2025

Data Source: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics, TRAC Immigration Reports, DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics (October-November 2025)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and removal statistics for 2025 reveal a complex enforcement landscape that diverges significantly from public messaging about prioritizing criminal aliens. While the Trump administration has consistently stated that 70% of ICE arrests target individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States, actual detention data tells a more nuanced story. As of November 16, 2025, 73.6% of the 65,135 individuals held in ICE facilities nationwide have no criminal conviction whatsoever, representing 47,964 people detained primarily on immigration violations rather than criminal grounds. This apparent disconnect between arrest statistics and detention composition stems from different processing timelines, with criminally convicted individuals often expedited through removal proceedings while those without criminal records may spend longer periods in detention awaiting immigration court hearings.

The 191,393 removals recorded in Fiscal Year 2025 represent a significant increase in enforcement activity, with 141,000 of these removals occurring after February 2025 when the Trump administration intensified interior enforcement operations. Among aliens removed from ICE custody during this period, 41.4% had criminal convictions, 25.0% had pending criminal charges, and 33.5% were classified as “other immigration violators” with no criminal history. The 36,646 ICE arrests in October 2025 alone exceeded the 4,995 CBP transfers to ICE custody by more than seven-to-one, demonstrating the emphasis on interior enforcement rather than solely border-focused operations. Meanwhile, 182,115 individuals are being monitored through Alternatives to Detention programs as of November 15, 2025, representing families and single adults released from custody under electronic monitoring or case management supervision while their immigration cases proceed through the court system.

Criminal Alien Arrests by Serious Offense Categories in the US 2025

Data Source: NBC News Immigration Tracker, DHS Press Releases, ICE Enforcement Statistics (January-May 2025)

ICE’s targeting of the most serious criminal offenders among criminal aliens in the US in 2025 has produced mixed results despite increased enforcement resources and expanded authorities. The agency identified 13,099 unauthorized immigrants convicted of murder and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault present in the United States as of mid-2024, representing individuals who committed these serious crimes but had not been detained by immigration authorities. Through May 2025, ICE arrested 752 murder convicts and 1,693 sexual assault convicts, representing arrest rates of 5.7% and 10.7% respectively of the total identified populations. These relatively modest percentages highlight the substantial operational challenges involved in locating and apprehending individuals who may have been living in communities for years or decades without immigration enforcement contact, even when federal databases contain records of their serious criminal convictions.

The first 50 days of the Trump administration beginning in late January 2025 saw intensified focus on gang members and suspected terrorists, with ICE arresting 1,155 criminal gang members—nearly two and a half times the 483 arrested during the same period in 2024. Arrests of 39 known or suspected terrorists represented nearly triple the 14 arrested in the comparable prior-year timeframe. These statistics demonstrate enhanced coordination between ICE, FBI, and other federal agencies in targeting the highest-priority threats, though they represent a small fraction of total enforcement activity. The challenge of apprehending serious criminal offenders who blend into communities, frequently change residences, use false identities, or reside in jurisdictions with limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities continues to impede efforts to systematically remove the most dangerous criminal aliens despite substantially increased enforcement resources and expanded legal authorities throughout 2025.

Border Sector Analysis of Criminal Alien Apprehensions in the US 2025

Data Source: Analysis of CBP Criminal Alien Statistics by Geographic Region (FY 2025)

Regional patterns in criminal alien apprehensions across the United States in 2025 reveal significant geographic variations in both conviction rates and offense type distributions. North Carolina demonstrates the highest criminal apprehension rate at 76.3% among undocumented individuals with prior convictions who were apprehended by federal authorities, while Texas shows the lowest rate at 68.3% despite processing the highest absolute numbers of border crossers and having the most extensive border infrastructure. These geographic disparities reflect differences in migration patterns, smuggling routes, local law enforcement cooperation levels, and the demographic composition of undocumented populations in different regions rather than inherent criminality differences across geographic areas.

Border states including Texas, Arizona, and California show elevated concentrations of drug-related criminal convictions, directly correlating with their proximity to international trafficking routes and their role as primary entry points for narcotics smuggling operations. Texas sectors handle the vast majority of overall border encounters but show lower per-capita criminal conviction rates, suggesting that most border crossers in these areas are seeking economic opportunities or family reunification rather than having serious criminal backgrounds. Interior states demonstrate more diverse crime patterns, with New York showing relatively higher rates of property crimes and fraud convictions while Illinois displays elevated weapons-related offenses among apprehended criminal aliens. These regional variations underscore that criminal alien populations are not monolithic, with substantial differences in criminal history profiles, offense severity, and enforcement contexts across different parts of the country requiring tailored enforcement strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Deportation and Removal Operations for Criminal Aliens in the US 2025

Data Source: Department of Homeland Security Press Releases, Migration Policy Institute, TRAC Immigration, Deportation Data Project, Human Rights First (January-November 2025)

Removal and deportation operations targeting criminal aliens in the US in 2025 have generated substantial debate regarding actual versus claimed numbers, with significant disparities between Department of Homeland Security public statements and independent data analysis. DHS announced that more than 527,000 deportations occurred between January and October 2025, while also claiming an additional 1.6 million individuals “self-deported” during this period—figures that independent researchers and immigration tracking organizations have challenged as inflated or conflating different categories of removals. Analysis of actual ICE removal data obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by the Deportation Data Project and examined by organizations including the Migration Policy Institute suggests verified removals likely total between 300,000 and 340,000 individuals through October 2025, substantially below government headline claims but still representing increased activity compared to recent prior years.

The operational intensity of removal operations has clearly accelerated, with 1,464 enforcement flights recorded in September 2025 alone representing an unprecedented monthly total according to Human Rights First documentation. The sustained weekly removal rate of approximately 7,500 individuals would project to roughly 390,000 annual removals if maintained consistently, though actual weekly rates have fluctuated substantially throughout the year. A key operational shift appears in detention-to-removal efficiency, with 90% of detained individuals in September 2025 being deported directly from custody compared to just 63% in October 2024, indicating expedited processing and reduced releases pending immigration court hearings. Texas detention facilities house the largest share of ICE detainees, with the Ero El Paso Camp East Montana facility averaging 2,777 individuals daily as of November 2025. Despite administration claims of prioritizing criminal aliens, independent analysis suggests that two-thirds of deportations through May 2025 involved individuals with no criminal convictions, with only 12% convicted of violent or potentially violent crimes, creating ongoing controversy about whether enforcement operations genuinely prioritize public safety threats or cast wider nets that include long-term residents with minimal criminal histories.

Conviction Severity Analysis for Criminal Aliens in the US 2025

Data Source: Cato Institute Analysis, Marshall Project Investigation, Deportation Data Project (January-August 2025)

The severity distribution of criminal convictions among individuals classified as criminal aliens deported or detained in 2025 challenges common assumptions about enforcement priorities, with the majority of immigration enforcement actions involving individuals with no criminal convictions or only minor offenses. Analysis by the libertarian Cato Institute examining nonpublic ICE arrest data through June 2025 found that 65% of individuals detained by ICE had no criminal convictions whatsoever, while 93% had no violent crime convictions. Similar research by the Marshall Project analyzing deportation records through May 2025 concluded that approximately 66% of the more than 120,000 people deported in the first five months of the year had no criminal convictions at all, while an additional 8% had only illegal entry offenses on their records—technical violations that are classified as misdemeanors in most contexts.

Among those with actual criminal convictions beyond immigration violations, the vast majority involve relatively minor offenses rather than serious crimes. More than 600 individuals deported in 2025 had marijuana-related convictions as their most serious offense, with three out of four cases involving offenses that occurred years or even decades ago in many instances. Traffic violations including driving without a license or driving under the influence constitute another substantial category, with the Marshall Project documenting an average of over 350 monthly deportations for traffic offenses alone during the Trump administration compared to 80 per month during the Biden period. Only 7% to 12% of deportations involved individuals convicted of crimes categorized as serious or violent, including assault, robbery, sexual offenses, homicide, and major drug trafficking. This conviction severity distribution suggests that while administration rhetoric emphasizes removing the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens, actual enforcement operations encompass much broader populations including individuals with decades of U.S. residence, stable employment, family ties, and either no criminal history or only minor infractions on their records from many years prior.

Historical Comparison of Criminal Alien Enforcement in the US 2025

Data Source: Congressional Research Service, Migration Policy Institute, American Immigration Council, Deportation Data Project (Historical comparison data 2009-2025)

Historical enforcement data provides essential context for understanding criminal alien removal operations in 2025 relative to previous administrations, revealing that while absolute numbers may be increasing, the proportion of removals involving serious criminal convictions has actually decreased compared to recent prior years. The Obama administration conducted more than 5.3 million total removals during its eight-year tenure, maintaining a consistent focus on recent border crossers and individuals with serious criminal convictions as enforcement priorities. The Biden administration removed over 4.6 million individuals between 2021 and 2024, with approximately 50-55% of interior removals involving people with criminal convictions and roughly 78.4% of all interior removals having criminal histories when including those with pending charges.

In contrast, 2025 enforcement under the Trump administration’s second term shows both similarities and significant differences from historical patterns. While the administration has set aggressive removal targets aiming for nearly 1 million annual deportations, actual verified removal numbers through October 2025 suggest an annualized pace between 300,000 and 600,000 depending on data source and counting methodology. The February 2025 daily average of approximately 330 Border Patrol apprehensions nationwide represented historic lows in border crossing attempts rather than increases in removals. Most notably, the criminal conviction share among total deportations has declined substantially, with analysis showing that only about 34% of Trump-era removals involved individuals with actual criminal convictions compared to the Biden administration’s higher percentages. This shift reflects an explicit policy change to expand enforcement beyond narrowly defined criminal priorities to encompass broader undocumented populations including long-term residents, individuals with pending asylum claims, and those with decades-old minor convictions. The Deportation Data Project analysis comparing January through June 2025 with comparable Biden administration periods found that the proportion of deportees with violent crime convictions dropped from 10% under Biden to 7% under Trump, indicating that while overall enforcement volume may be increasing, the targeting of serious criminal aliens as a share of total operations has actually decreased in 2025 relative to immediate prior years.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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