CNN Analysis Shows How Different ICE Tactics Are Used In Red And Blue States

CNN Analysis Shows How Different ICE Tactics Are Used In Red And Blue States

The Trump administration is detaining hundreds of immigrants every day across the country, but there is a stark divide between what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does in Democratic and Republican states.

In states that voted for President Donald Trump, ICE agents are much more likely to arrest immigrants directly from prisons and jails, according to a CNN analysis of agency data.

Instead, in Democratic-leaning states, ICE frequently arrests immigrants in workplaces, streets, and mass raids, which has led to protests and an intense reaction, for example, in cities like Los Angeles.

Most of those arrested have no criminal record.

ICE data shows that, overall, more immigrants are arrested in Republican states than in Democratic states, both in the community and, especially, in prisons and jails.

However, there is a clear gap in the places where ICE detains people: 59% of arrests in Republican states were carried out in prisons and jails, while 70% in Democratic states were carried out in the community.

This partisan gap between Republican and Democratic states existed before the start of Trump's second term, but has widened since last year.

Trump officials say the different tactics are simply a side effect of so-called sanctuary policies —local measures that limit cooperation with ICE— in many Democratic-ruled states and large cities.

In many of those places, local authorities cannot keep immigrants in custody based solely on ICE orders, so they are often released before immigration officials can arrest them.