Where ICE Arrests Immigrants: Red States vs. Blue States

A CNN investigation reveals a stark divide in how ICE arrests immigrants across the U.S., depending on state politics. In red states, most arrests happen in jails and prisons, where local authorities typically cooperate with ICE detainer requests. In blue states, where sanctuary policies limit cooperation, ICE relies heavily on aggressive community arrests—at worksites, homes, and even public spaces. Massachusetts stands out with 94% of arrests occurring in the community, most involving people with no criminal record. Critics say these tactics are designed to punish immigrant-friendly states, creating fear and disrupting communities, while ICE defends them as necessary responses to sanctuary policies.