73% of ICE Detainees Lack Criminal Convictions, Cato Institute Analysis Reveals

A recent analysis by the Cato Institute challenges official narratives regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests, indicating that a significant majority of individuals booked into custody possess no criminal convictions. David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, published data showing that 73% of people detained by ICE since the fiscal year began on October 1 had no criminal convictions, with only 5% having violent convictions. This analysis directly contradicts claims by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the targeting of high-threat individuals.

Bier's findings, which he stated were derived from "nonpublic data" leaked to the Cato Institute and corroborated by other sources, revealed that nearly half of those detained had neither criminal convictions nor pending charges. The data also highlighted that a majority of those with criminal convictions faced charges related to immigration, traffic, or vice offenses. These statistics suggest a divergence from the Trump administration's stated policy of prioritizing "the worst of the worst" in immigration enforcement actions.

The tweet from David J. Bier directly confronted a DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, who had previously dismissed Bier's data as "made-up" and "propaganda." Bier responded, > "Here's the raw 'made up' data from your department. What do you gain from lying about this? Just admit you don't care whether the people you're arresting are threats to others or not." This exchange underscores a growing tension over the transparency and interpretation of immigration enforcement data.

Critics, including congressional figures and other immigration experts, have echoed Bier's concerns, suggesting that ICE's enforcement efforts are increasingly targeting individuals without serious criminal backgrounds. The data indicates a substantial increase in arrests of non-criminal immigrants, with the number of people in detention without convictions or pending charges rising by 2,370% since January. This shift raises questions about the allocation of resources and the broader impact on immigrant communities.