Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Guess What % of ICE Detainees Turn Out To Be Criminals?
Dec 8, 2025
David Bier, an immigration policy expert at the Cato Institute, reveals startling data on ICE detainees—nearly three-quarters lack any criminal convictions. He challenges the Trump Administration's narrative, noting that only about 5% have violent offenses. Bier highlights the vast scale of arrests, around 10,000 weekly, and discusses how policy changes have broadened detainment criteria. The conversation uncovers the impact on communities, the fear it instills, and argues for more liberty in immigration laws to respect individual freedoms.
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Violent Convictions Make Up A Small Share
- Only 5% of people detained by ICE had violent convictions during the period analyzed.
- David Bier argues the administration highlights violent cases but largely detains nonviolent people.
Most Detainees Had No Convictions
- About 73% of detainees had no convictions and nearly half had no pending charges through October.
- Bier frames this as tens of thousands of interior arrests, roughly 10,000 per week during the period.
Policy Changes Broadened Targets
- The administration removed enforcement priorities that previously focused on serious criminals on day one.
- Bier says that policy changes broadened who ICE can target, including people who had passed vetting.