Data

The Data: A First Look Inside the Machine

Welcome to the analytical core of our first investigation. The data you are about to see comes from ICE's own records, made public through years of litigation. While we are still in the early stages of our analysis, our initial findings already begin to shed light on the inner workings of the U.S. deportation system.

Our goal with this page is to move beyond simply reporting raw numbers. It is to provide the public with the data and the context needed to start gaining real insights into how this system operates. Our investigation begins with two fundamental questions:

1. How do people enter the deportation pipeline? (Apprehension Method)

2. Who is being targeted for enforcement? (Apprehension Criminality)

The data presented below is our first, verified answer to these questions. As our analysis deepens, this page will be updated with new findings, cross-tabulations, and visualizations. This is not a static report; it is a living investigation.

• The Jail & Prison Pipeline (58%): A clear majority of arrests—approximately 58%—were initiated after an individual was identified by ICE while already in the custody of a local, state, or federal correctional facility, or while under the supervision of a probation or parole office. This "jail-to-ICE pipeline" is the single largest driver of interior enforcement in our dataset.

• Community Enforcement (34%): Roughly one-third of arrests (34%) were initiated through proactive enforcement in the community. This includes being "located" by ICE agents or being issued a "non-custodial arrest," where a person is charged without being taken into immediate physical custody.

• Other Programs (9%): The remaining 9% of arrests were initiated through other administrative processes or formal collaborations with local law enforcement, such as the 287(g) program.
  
  

What this data indicates: These findings provide a clear, data-driven picture of ICE's operational priorities. The deep reliance on the "jail-to-ICE pipeline" highlights the critical and often invisible link between local policing and federal immigration enforcement. Understanding this machinery is the first step to understanding the deportation system as a whole.