U.S. immigration arrests nearly doubled in 2026, with most detainees having no criminal record, sparking concerns over family separations and detention conditions.

U.S. immigration enforcement actions, including deportations, have nearly doubled since early 2025, with ICE averaging 1,100 arrests per day in 2026, up from 600 in 2025, according to a New York Times review of data. The surge is concentrated in Arizona, California, and Texas, particularly in Dallas, El Paso, Harlingen, and San Antonio, where arrest rates are three times higher than during the Minneapolis surge. The H-1B visa program has seen a major crackdown, with U.S. consulates in India suspending new appointments, with the earliest dates not until 2027. Despite claims of targeting only serious criminals, data shows most detained individuals have no criminal record, and concerns persist over detention conditions and the human impact, including family separations and allegations of misconduct.