ICE Arrest Tactics Vary Sharply Between Red and Blue States

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is employing significantly different arrest tactics in Republican- and Democratic-leaning states, according to a new analysis of agency data.

The report shows that more immigrants overall are being arrested in red states, with nearly 59% of those arrests taking place inside prisons and jails. These individuals are often already in custody for other offenses, and ICE agents coordinate directly with local law enforcement for transfers.

In contrast, in blue states, ICE more frequently arrests immigrants in the broader community. Approximately 70% of arrests in Democratic-leaning states occur in non-custodial settings, including workplaces, streets, and mass roundups. Many of the individuals arrested in these scenarios have no criminal record.

The differences reflect broader state-level policies. Democratic states often limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, pushing ICE to seek arrests outside of detention settings. Meanwhile, Republican-led states are more likely to facilitate cooperation between local and federal agencies, streamlining arrests inside jails.

The findings add to the ongoing national conversation over immigration policy, enforcement priorities, and how political leanings can shape the experiences of immigrant communities.

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