The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that federal immigration authorities arrested approximately 7,000 gang members during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, citing the figure as part of a broader enforcement effort targeting criminal activity linked to illegal immigration.
According to DHS, the arrests were carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of nationwide operations focused on individuals identified as gang members with prior criminal histories. The department said those taken into custody were linked to offenses including homicide, drug trafficking, human trafficking, carjacking, and weapons violations.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the enforcement actions were aimed at individuals the department described as posing public safety risks and emphasized that ICE operations were prioritizing offenders with serious criminal records.
In a statement released by the department, DHS said some of the individuals arrested had previously been removed from the United States and later reentered illegally. In contrast, others had been released into the country under prior administrations. DHS did not provide a breakdown of arrests by location but said the operations were conducted nationwide.
Federal officials released case examples involving individuals linked to gangs including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, the Latin Kings, the Trinitarios, the Mexican Mafia, the Nortenos, Asian Boys, the Crips, and the Bloods. According to DHS, those individuals had prior convictions or arrests for crimes ranging from homicide and assault to kidnapping, burglary, and narcotics trafficking.
In several cases cited by the department, individuals had been previously deported and later returned to the United States unlawfully before being arrested again by ICE. DHS said removals were carried out following immigration proceedings where applicable.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the arrests were part of the administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy, which includes increased interior enforcement and cooperation among federal agencies.
DHS also highlighted the arrest totals in a series of posts on X, stating that ICE enforcement efforts have expanded during the current administration. The department said it intends to continue targeting individuals with gang affiliations and criminal convictions as part of ongoing operations.
Federal officials did not release information on future enforcement timelines but said immigration arrests and removals remain active nationwide.
