ICE Detention Numbers Drop Significantly in Past Two Months, But There's More to the Story

ICE detention has dropped nearly 10,000 people to 60,311 as of April 4, 2026 — the lowest level in six months. However, the decline is driven primarily by immigrants without criminal histories being released or arrested less frequently, while those with criminal convictions remain relatively stable. GPS ankle monitor usage has surged to 46,302 people, indicating a shift toward electronic surveillance rather than traditional incarceration.