Nearly Half of ICE Arrests in Northern California Involve No Criminals

Data recently released from the Deportation Data Project indicates that 48 percent of individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Northern California have no prior criminal record. This revelation marks a significant shift in the demographics of those detained by ICE, as arrests in the region have more than tripled since the beginning of the year.

The analysis conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley revealed that in September 2025, only 39 percent of those arrested had a criminal conviction, while 14 percent faced pending charges. This contrasts sharply with earlier months when most detainees had a history of criminal activity. September represents the latest complete month for which data is available, reflecting a worrying trend in enforcement priorities.

The escalation of ICE arrests follows a promise made earlier this year by former President Donald Trump to focus on deporting the “worst of the worst.” However, current statistics reveal that the administration’s enforcement actions increasingly target individuals without any criminal history. Nationally, approximately 74 percent of those currently in ICE detention centers lack a criminal background, according to the Transaction Records Access Clearinghouse from Syracuse University.

Rising Arrests and Detention Rates

In addition to the increase in arrests, a recent report from Mission Local highlights a notable decline in arrests at San Francisco’s immigration courthouse, where many individuals with pending asylum cases attend routine hearings. Despite this localized decline, the overall number of ICE arrests in Northern California has surged, rising more than threefold between January 20 and October 15, 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year.

Further analysis by the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that deportations in California have increased by 78 percent since 2024. Given the data reporting practices, these figures might represent an undercount. For the “San Francisco Area of Responsibility,” which encompasses regions beyond California, about 11 percent of ICE data for 2025 lacks state-specific details, leading to exclusions in the analysis.

The latest statistics also reveal a concerning uptick in detentions at the short-term facility located at 630 Sansome St. In September, the facility recorded 246 new detention stays, a significant increase of 67 percent compared to the previous month. Typically, individuals are held there for only a few hours before being relocated to longer-term facilities. Nevertheless, prior reports from Mission Local indicate that at least 38 individuals were detained for longer than the recommended 12 hours.

As these developments unfold, the implications for immigrant communities in Northern California remain profound. The shift in the composition of ICE arrests raises critical questions about enforcement priorities and the impact of immigration policies on individuals without criminal histories.