ICE Detention of Asians: Increased Numbers and Hardships Under Trump

Research Brief: ICE Detention of Asians: Increased Numbers and Hardships Under Trump, page 1

In a research brief published by UCLA Asian American Studies Center’s AAPI Policy Initiative, Jonathan Ong and Paul Ong discuss ICE detention of Asians, and how many of the detained were productive members of society searching for a path to become legal immigrants, the type that most Americans support.

The number of Asians arrested and detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) surged during the first half year of President Trump’s administration, particularly the latter part of this time period. Many of those arrested are the type of immigrants that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe are a “good thing...for this country today” and should have a path to citizenship. Administrative ICE records provide insights into the magnitude of Trump’s deportation initiative and the characteristics of those affected. ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the interior of the United States. This research brief reports and compares tabulations for February to July 2025 with those for the equivalent time period during the previous year under the Biden Administration.

The number of Asians arrested more than tripled since Trump took office, increasing from 1,054 during the February to July 2024 time period to 3,705 during the same months in 2025. Arrests started to surge in May, likely due to the ambitious goal of a million deportations per year. The arrests peaked in June, and declined in July, perhaps due to increasing opposition, court rulings against the administration and overworked ICE staff.