The detention of immigrants in the United States reached its highest level in 2025 and could double its capacity in the coming months, according to a report by the American Immigration Council. The document warns that the system is experiencing unprecedented expansion under President Donald Trump's second term. According to the analysis, the number of people detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities rose from approximately 40,000 in January 2025 to nearly 66,000 by early December of the same year, an increase of close to 75%. Currently, the facilities can hold about 70,000 people per day, the highest number ever recorded, the American Immigration Council notes in its report. However, the growth would not stop there. The report notes that official plans envisioned reaching approximately 108,000 beds by January 2026 and that, with the funds already approved by Congress, ICE could expand its capacity to 135,000 spaces, more than triple the number available when Trump returned to the White House.

Historic Funding for Immigration Detention

The American Immigration Council maintains that this expansion is supported by an extraordinary increase in the federal budget. Through the law known as “One Big Beautiful Bill” and annual allocations to ICE, the agency will have nearly $15 billion per year for detention until fiscal year 2029.

In addition, in July 2025, Congress authorized an additional $45 billion specifically earmarked for expanding the immigration detention system. This figure is in addition to the $4 billion allocated in the fiscal year 2025 budget, an amount that is expected to continue increasing.

Increase in arrests and change in the profile of those arrested

The report documents that the record number of arrests is linked to a massive increase in operations. In the first nine months of the year, Arrests “in general” within US communities increased by 600%, with the participation of agents from various federal agencies. Workplace raids, mobile patrols, and collateral arrests supplemented these operations. According to the Council,even migrants attending their court hearings were rearrested without prior notice. One of the most significant changes is the profile of those detained: the number of individuals without criminal records in ICE custody on any given day increased by 2.45%, reflecting a substantial shift in immigration enforcement priorities. Fewer releases and more deportations from custody. The American Immigration Council also notes that, following the presidential order of January 20, 2025, to maximize detention, ICE drastically reduced discretionary releases. Between January and November 29, these decreased by 87%.

New legal interpretations also limited the ability of immigration judges to grant bond to large groups, consolidating mandatory detention schemes.

As a result, in November 2025, for every person released while awaiting the resolution of their case, 14.3 were deported directly from ICE facilities. In December 2024, the ratio was 1.6.

More facilities, less oversight

Furthermore, the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases.

The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and reduced oversight mechanisms.

In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years.

One of the most significant changes is the profile of those detained: the number of individuals without criminal records in ICE custody on any given day increased by 2.45%, reflecting a substantial shift in immigration enforcement priorities.

Fewer Releases and More Deportations from Custody

The American Immigration Council also notes that, following the presidential order of January 20, 2025, to maximize detention, ICE drastically reduced discretionary releases. Between January and November 29, these decreased by 87%.

New legal interpretations further limited the ability of immigration judges to grant bond to broad groups, consolidating mandatory detention schemes.

As a result, in November 2025, for every person released while awaiting the resolution of their case, 14.3 were deported directly from ICE facilities.

In December 2024, the ratio was 1.6.

More facilities, less oversight

Furthermore,the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases.

The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms.

In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years.

One of the most significant changes is the profile of those detained: the number of individuals without criminal records in ICE custody on any given day increased by 2.45%, reflecting a substantial shift in immigration enforcement priorities.

Fewer Releases and More Deportations from Custody

The American Immigration Council also notes that, following the presidential order of January 20, 2025, to maximize detention, ICE drastically reduced discretionary releases. Between January and November 29, these decreased by 87%.

New legal interpretations further limited the ability of immigration judges to grant bond to broad groups, consolidating mandatory detention schemes.

As a result, in November 2025, for every person released while awaiting the resolution of their case, 14.3 were deported directly from ICE facilities.

In December 2024, the ratio was 1.6.

More facilities, less oversight

Furthermore, the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases.

The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms.

In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years. As a result, in November 2025, for every person released while awaiting the resolution of their case, 14.3 were deported directly from ICE facilities. In December 2024, the ratio was 1.6. More facilities, less oversight. Furthermore,the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases. The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms. In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years. As a result, in November 2025, for every person released while awaiting the resolution of their case, 14.3 were deported directly from ICE facilities. In December 2024, the ratio was 1.6. More facilities, less oversight. Furthermore, the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases. The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms. In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years.the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases. The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms. In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years.the report highlights that to sustain the increase, ICE added 104 facilities by the end of November, a 91% increase since the beginning of the year. The system includes everything from county jails to reopened state prisons and temporary facilities on military bases. The report also warns of deteriorating conditions of confinement and a reduction in oversight mechanisms. In 2025, the highest number of deaths in ICE detention centers was recorded in a year without a pandemic, while the elimination of oversight mechanisms would have increased the system's opacity. The American Immigration Council concludes that immigration detention has become the central focus of the mass deportation strategy, supported by record funding and a structural expansion that could redefine the US immigration system in the coming years.