ICE makes record immigrant arrests in single day: Report

In an unprecedented sweep, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 2,200 undocumented immigrants on Tuesday, marking the highest number of arrests in a single day in the agency’s history, according to a report published by NBC News.

The mass arrests come amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration. Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have reportedly directed ICE to aim for 3,000 arrests daily, warning ICE leadership of potential firings if targets aren't met, NBC cited sources familiar with the matter.

Many of those detained were enrolled in ICE’s Alternative to Detention (ATD) program, which allows undocumented immigrants deemed low risk to remain in the community under supervision, such as ankle monitors, smartphone tracking apps, and routine ICE check-ins.

According to the report, ICE used a mass text message to summon many ATD participants to check in ahead of schedule. When they arrived at ICE offices, they were arrested.

The tactic has sparked fear and confusion among immigrant communities. On the other hand, ICE defended the move, stating that those arrested had “executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order.” 

To bolster the operation, ICE reportedly drew 5,000 federal law enforcement employees from other agencies.

The NBC report underscores a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration enforcement under the Trump administration’s second term, raising concerns over legal transparency, due process, and human rights.