Kathmandu— United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 49,571 people in July, marking the highest monthly total since President Donald Trump began his second term in office. The number represents a roughly 15 percent rise compared to June’s arrest count and approximately a 70 percent increase from February's figures, according to data analyzed by The Associated Press. This surge follows a period of increased hiring within ICE and expanded enforcement policies, particularly in states with cooperative agreements for immigration enforcement.

Rising Arrest Numbers

The July arrest total represents a substantial jump in ICE activity. Government data shows that prior to Trump’s return to office in January 2025, monthly arrests averaged slightly more than 8,000 individuals, largely consisting of immigrants transferred from local jails and prisons. Throughout his first year back in office, the number of arrests steadily increased as officials relaxed restrictions on enforcement targets. By December, monthly arrests exceeded 40,000.

Recent Fluctuations and Regional Focus

Following two fatal shootings in Minnesota in January that sparked protests and drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers, ICE arrests experienced a temporary decline in February. However, after remaining relatively stable for several months, the numbers began to climb again in June before surging further in July. A significant portion of these recent arrests – nearly 20,000 – occurred in Texas and Florida, both states that participate in ‘287(g)’ agreements with ICE. These agreements allow local law enforcement agencies to function as extensions of federal immigration enforcement.

Increased Enforcement Capacity

The expanding arrest campaign coincides with a substantial increase in ICE’s workforce. The agency added approximately 12,000 officers and agents over the past year, bolstering its capacity for immigration enforcement operations across the country.

ICE continues to carry out increased enforcement efforts as part of broader immigration policies, with ongoing monitoring of arrest trends and regional variations.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.