U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested 10,831 people in New Jersey between January 21, 2025, the day after President Trump was sworn into office, and April 21, 2026, according to federal enforcement data obtained by TLS.
Of those taken into custody, 2,377 had prior criminal convictions, the data shows, meaning roughly one in five arrests involved individuals with a criminal record other than immigration related offenses.
The figures reflect a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement activity following the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, during which federal officials moved to significantly increase arrests nationwide. Early directives called for a dramatic rise in daily enforcement actions, including expanded interior arrests by ICE field offices.
By comparison, for the 15 months prior to the start of the Trump administration, ICE conducted only 3,584 arrests in the state.
Arrests skyrocketed in January and February of this year, with a total of 2,303 detained in those two months alone.
Immigration enforcement activity has been reported across multiple parts of the state in recent months, including operations in Ocean County and other areas. TLS has reported on ICE operations in the Lakewood area extensively.
In December, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the launch of a new webpage, “Worst of the Worst,” which highlighted some of the worst criminals picked up in the area.
Yeah, my friend lost his good paying tenant here in Lakewood because they picked him up
Excellent. Who knew there were so many people here in NJ illegally. About time someone enforced the law and our safety. What an embarrassment to previous administrations that such blatant disregard for the law and our borders took place. Who looked the other way so they can get in in such numbers? Who looked the other way so they had no fear of arrest or deportation? Shame on them.