The number of migrants detained in U.S. immigration centers has surged to a record 60,000, marking an increase of more than 50% since former President Donald Trump took office. This figure far surpasses the approximately 39,000 individuals held in the final days of President Joe Biden's administration.
Current statistics indicate that the number of detainees exceeds the peak recorded during Trump's first term, when 55,654 migrants were in custody in August 2019. Notably, Axios reports that the actual number of detained migrants could be even higher, as thousands remain unaccounted for in official counts.
One significant example is the facility known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' where around 700 individuals were held in July, most of whom did not appear in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents. ICE representatives maintain that this facility is not officially under their jurisdiction, despite housing detainees in their custody.
This increase in migrant detentions has raised concerns about the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy. As the situation develops, advocates and lawmakers are closely monitoring the implications for human rights and border management.
