Mullin Expands ICE for 1 Million Deportations a Year as Arrests Near 2,000 Daily
Updated
Updated · The Atlantic · Jul 22
Mullin Expands ICE for 1 Million Deportations a Year as Arrests Near 2,000 Daily
3 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · Jul 22
Summary
$240 billion in new immigration funding and favorable Supreme Court rulings have positioned DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to double ICE officers and pursue deportations of 1 million people annually.
ICE arrests have already climbed to roughly 2,000 a day nationwide—nearly double the spring pace—after June arrests hit a record 43,138 and detentions topped 65,000 this month.
Mullin has tried to soften some tactics, easing warrantless searches, slowing fast-tracked training and pausing warehouse detention plans, but Trump publicly overruled his brief halt to most ICE traffic stops.
That tension leaves Mullin balancing White House demands for a record deportation drive against public backlash after fatal ICE encounters and growing protests over enforcement tactics.
With detention deaths at a decade high, what accountability exists for medical care inside ICE facilities?
How is $70 billion in new funding changing daily life for immigrant communities across America?
As local police partner with federal agents, what does this mean for community trust and public safety?
ICE Enforcement Surges 40%: Deaths, Detention Crisis, and Community Resistance in 2025–2026
Overview
Leading up to July 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sharply increased enforcement, with arrests rising over 40 percent compared to the previous year. This surge happened amid ongoing debates about funding and oversight, while ICE delayed releasing key data on arrests and detentions, blaming government shutdowns. The lack of transparency made it difficult for lawmakers, media, and advocacy groups to monitor ICE activities. Despite a brief drop in daily arrests in February, the overall trend shows a significant expansion of enforcement operations, raising concerns about accountability and the impact on affected communities.