I came across quite possibly one of the worst-written newspaper pieces I've ever read this morning, but it did contain some interesting statistics, regardless.
I have to figure it was a local USA Today affiliate's effort to keep their Palm Springs readers abreast of the immigration enforcement chaos playing out in the rest of the state, as well as the overall picture nationally.
The young author appears to be of Hispanic heritage himself, so there might well be an ideological axe to grind, too, but the overall piece doesn't have the fever pitch that many of them do.
The premise is that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is doing what they said they would do when Trump took office, and arrests have gone up accordingly.
Some of the statistics are just goofy, though:
...President Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to increase immigration arrests. The Freedom of Information Act data from the University of California, Berkeley, has shown that ICE has averaged around 666 daily arrests since January.
Arrests have doubled in at least 38 states, and in a state like Idaho, which does not have as many immigrants, a 924% increase was reported.
Idaho. Okay.
I'll spare you the rest of the percentages, but some of the numbers kind of surprised me. I truly thought California would be ahead in the 'apprehended' category, but it's Texas.
I'm going to figure that's because the TX authorities are working actively with the feds to make this happen. Not that the Texas folks weren't already doing plenty in their own right.
Which States Have the Most ICE Arrests?
Texas tops the list with the most reported ICE arrests this year at 20,150 arrests, more than the runner-up.
The five states with the most ICE arrests in 2025, so far:
- Texas- 20,150
- Florida- 9,080
- California- 5,860
- Arizona- 2,910
- New York- 2,810
The other interesting section was what happens when they nab somebody. That, too, has been changing significantly and there is an acknowledgment that the long derided million-a-year deportations are not such a pipe dream after all.
...While the arrests have jumped, the deportation numbers are not yet on pace to reach a million a year, but it isn't impossible, according to Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute policy analyst.
...She says two tools could be major factors in ramping up deportations. The first is the 287(g) agreement, in which local law enforcement works with ICE. In those cases, particularly Republican states' cooperation could create what she called a "criminal justice to deportation pipeline."
The second tool is expedited removal, which can happen in hours but was historically used at the border. As of June, 15% of those detained were processed through expedited removal, without the opportunity to defend themselves in court, up from 5% at the end of 2024, the New York Times reported.
If, for example, someone is being detained but cannot be deported to their country of origin, the previous standard was to release them with check-in mandates.
"This administration is trying to keep everyone it can detained," she said.
Palm Springs, where this paper is located, has had its own little California ICE drama, for all its resorts, golf courses, and hot springs chillax persona.
Immigration officers were in the parking lot outside a popular Mexican restaurant a week ago, and it got everyone shook up.
It’s been just over a week since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained individuals in the parking lot between Albertsons and Loco Charlie’s Mexican Grill in Palm Springs — and for those who work and dine in the area, the fear hasn’t gone away.
“I can still see their faces,” said the kitchen manager at Loco Charlie’s, who asked to remain anonymous. “They were filled with fear. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
He recalled the scene on that Monday morning vividly, saying it was shocking to see ICE agents detaining people right outside the restaurant — something he never imagined would happen in his own community.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a citizen, resident, or have a work permit. What I saw made me feel like anyone could be next,” he said.
Though not born in the U.S., the manager said he was raised here and feels like this country is home. But recent events have shaken that sense of belonging.
“This country is not the same as when I came here. I’ve worked hard, paid taxes, gone to school. I feel like those things don’t matter anymore.”
Back in June, as ICE was beginning to make its presence known, the Palm Springs Police Department issued a statement on its Facebook page. They thoughtfully provided some resource links to help worried residents 'navigate the time safely.'
Good grief. Give a rest.
The Palm Springs Police Department is aware of recent federal immigration enforcement activity in our neighboring cities. These enforcement actions have created concern and fear among some members of our community. It’s important that you hear directly from us.Let us be clear:The Palm Springs Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement. We do not conduct raids, question people about immigration status, or assist with deportation actions. PSPD will however respond to calls for emergency help from any law enforcement agency.Our department has developed and follows a strict policy that outlines how we respond to federal immigration enforcement in our city. That policy reflects our core values: we protect public safety, we uphold constitutional rights, and we serve every person in this community with dignity—regardless of where they were born.In accordance with state law (SB 54), our officers do not enforce civil immigration law. We are prohibited from sharing information with ICE unless required by law, and we do not allow civil immigration actions. Our officers remain focused on what matters most: keeping the peace, protecting lives, and supporting the people of Palm Springs.We know that immigration issues can be deeply personal and emotional. However, violence against the police-federal, state or local - is not acceptable behavior in a democracy. PSPD will work diligently to ensure the peace.If you or someone you care about is worried, please reach out to trusted legal and community resources. We’ve included some below to help you navigate this time safely.
It's no wonder that the whole state is a mess. All that virtue-signaling takes too much time and effort. Lucky for them, they're not plagued with anything resembling real crime.
Even without the assistance of the various progressive governments around the country, ICE and DHS are steadily working toward moving illegals out.
According to what NBC News has been able to discern (as exact numbers are unavailable), ICE was able to physically deport almost 18K illegals in June, and has some 57,186 in detention as of July 7.
...President Donald Trump came into office promising the largest mass deportation in U.S history, targeting the more than 10 million unauthorized migrants living in the United States. Since then, data shows border crossings have plummeted, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have doubled, and the number of people in detention is at an all-time high.
As for going after 'the worst of the worst,' as initially promised, yeah - it's a tough slog but they are making progress. After all, it's not like these criminals are standing on street corners anymore, daring someone to try, or simply not worried at all. They're feeling the heat and going to ground.
But if you look at what ICE has accomplished in five months? Hello.
...ICE told Congress last year that, as of July, it had identified 435,000 unauthorized immigrants with criminal convictions in the United States who were not in custody. Of those non-citizens, 13,099 were convicted of murder and 15,811 were convicted of sexual assault. As of the end of May, 2025, ICE had arrested 752 non-citizens convicted of murder and 1,693 convicted of sexual assault.
In the meantime, as Homan said, that's who they're looking for. But if you're illegal and get caught up when ICE comes looking, that's on you, not ICE.
And away you go.
Like this DACA baby, who is absolutely incensed that he's being tucked into a squad car.
I'M HERE UNDER DACA!
This guy is the poster child for why it all needs to be dismantled. He’s been here 20 years, still doesn’t have legal status, admits he has pending criminal cases, talks down to law enforcement like he’s the one in charge, and yet acts stunned that anyone would question his…
— Flopping Aces (@FloppingAces) July 14, 2025
And then there's those pesky, well...
Voice: Have you committed any crimes?
DACA baby: Ah...I...I am under..I have some cases pending...
Get in the frickin' car and back to Honduras with you.
The nerve.
And now, if you're caught coming across the border, you stay caught...
The Biden administration dangerously unleashed millions of unvetted illegal aliens into American communities—and they used many loopholes to do so.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 15, 2025
President Trump and Secretary Noem are now enforcing this law as it was actually written to keep America safe.
Politicians and… pic.twitter.com/hrAFAUq3se
...until they move you out. This is where the even more planned Alligator Alcatraz versions now in progress are going to come in handy.
ICE and Border Patrol keep chugging along.
A warrant gave us a window of opportunity.
— USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) July 14, 2025
This illegal alien refused to surrender, forcing Border Patrol Agents to shatter vehicle windows to arrest her.
In 2019, she was convicted of vandalism in the L.A. area. Now she'll be deported.
Still in L.A., still making arrests. pic.twitter.com/VKKzT3uSBQ
I think California just might catch up to Texas soon.
