The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency recently arrested more than 2,200 people in a single day, the highest number of immigrant detentions in one day ever, according to an NBC News report.

The large-scale arrests come amid reports that key figures in President Donald Trump’s circle, including Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, are pushing for ICE to increase daily arrests to 3,000 people.

Immigrants in supervision program targeted

Many of those arrested were part of ICE’s Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. This program monitors undocumented immigrants who are not considered a public safety threat using ankle monitors, smartphone apps, or regular check-ins at ICE offices.

However, a sudden twist alarmed families and lawyers alike. Several immigrants under ATD received mass text messages instructing them to come in earlier than scheduled for check-ins. But when they arrived, they were detained.

Seven people were seen handcuffed and taken away in unmarked vehicles. One of them was a 30-year-old man from Colombia who had consistently followed ICE instructions.

“He was, you know, very cooperative with all of the requirements that were made of him,” said Margaret Cargioli, a lawyer with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center who represents his family.

Fear of arrest vs risk of deportation

This situation has placed immigrants in a troubling position; those who show up at ICE offices could be arrested, while skipping appointments may lead to automatic deportation.

An ICE spokesperson said that all those arrested had final deportation orders issued by immigration judges and had failed to follow them. But several attorneys have disputed that, claiming their clients did not have such final orders yet were detained anyway.

As the crackdown continues, immigration advocates say fear is growing in communities.
“People are now increasingly afraid and intimidated because of the way that ICE is executing these kinds of enforcement priorities on such a widespread, indiscriminate, and mass scale,” said Greg Chen, a senior director of government relations.

ICE has reportedly brought in 5,000 officers from other federal law enforcement agencies to help with the surge in arrests.

But critics, including former officials, say these actions may be more about show than impact.

Jason Houser, ICE’s former chief of staff under the Biden administration, called the arrests of people in ATD programs “bureaucratic theater,” pointing out that these individuals are usually already being monitored, are cooperative, and many even have legal status.

According to ICE data, about 20,000 ankle monitors are currently in use, and 98.5% of people in the program show up for check-ins, making them easy to find.

As arrests rise, so do concerns, not just from immigrant families, but also from lawyers, human rights groups, and former officials who question the long-term impact and fairness of such strategies.

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