ICE Intensifies Mass Arrests, Cracks Down on US Employers Nationwide

Under the Trump administration in 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons has announced a significant escalation in immigration enforcement, including mass arrests of anyone found living in the U.S. illegally, regardless of criminal history. Lyons emphasized a renewed focus on arresting the 'worst of the worst' but confirmed that individuals without criminal records will also be detained during immigration operations, including so-called collateral arrests in communities. ICE has also resumed large-scale workplace raids targeting unauthorized workers, recently impacting industries such as meatpacking, racetracks, and cannabis farms. Additionally, Lyons stated the agency will hold American companies accountable for employing unauthorized workers, highlighting the exploitation of laborers, including cases involving forced labor and child trafficking. These aggressive policies have drawn criticism from Democrats and migrant advocates, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass questioning ICE agents wearing masks and the impact on local law enforcement trust. ICE has deported nearly 150,000 people so far in 2025, with a congressional funding boost aiming for up to 1 million deportations annually.