ICE Arrests of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California Rose 1,109%

Immigration arrests of Asian American and Pacific Islander Californians increased 1,109% in 2025 over the prior year — far outpacing the 386% rise in overall ICE arrests statewide — according to an analysis by the University of Southern California Equity Research Institute using arrest records processed through UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project. Nearly 3,000 AAPI individuals were arrested by ICE in the state in 2025, with the largest increases among people from India, China, Vietnam, Armenia and Laos. About 56% of those arrested had no criminal record, up from 19% in 2024. The researchers note the figures are an undercount because they track only ICE arrests and exclude other federal agencies such as Border Patrol.