ICE Arrests of Immigrants Without Criminal Records Surge in Maryland

Most immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Maryland lack a criminal record, according to a university research study published on Thursday.

Data from the Deportation Data Project at the University of California shows a shift in federal enforcement actions across the state, sparking fear and uncertainty among local communities.

The research tracks enforcement trends between January and July of 2025 alongside the same period in 2026. Federal agents arrested 2,224 individuals during the 2025 timeframe, with 941 of those detainees lacking a criminal history. By 2026, that figure climbed sharply.

Federal agents captured 2,952 people without criminal convictions or pending charges in Maryland during the tracked portion of 2026. According to the FBI, individuals with violent criminal convictions account for less than ten percent of all arrests.

The locations of these detentions also shifted significantly. Arrests conducted outside of detention facilities rose from nearly 1,600 to about 3,700 incidents. Conversely, transfers originating from local jails and other correctional facilities dropped from 626 to 515.

“Temeroso es porque ya la gente no quiere salir. No, no están ya encerrados, que le es rara la gente que anda en la calle,” local residents said.

The Baltimore region absorbed a heavy concentration of these operations. Two offices in Baltimore registered nearly 900 arrests between January 2025 and early August 2026. One of those specific offices processes individuals who arrive for scheduled immigration appointments.

Community members voice deep concern over the wider economic and social fallout of these community sweeps. “Entonces no están haciendo las cosas correctas, porque si supuestamente tiene que ser las que tienen el récord criminal, porque se están llevando a gente que está trabajando, quién va a hacer los trabajos hoy?” a local resident said regarding the workforce impact.

The analysis relies on Immigration and Customs Enforcement records extending through August 6, 2026. The study also notes an important detail regarding individuals who were detained more than once.