Full Breakdown
DACA Recipients Face Increased Arrests Under Trump Administration
2/26/2026, 4:13:01 AM
Overview of DACA Arrests
During the first ten months of the second Trump administration, federal immigration agents arrested 261 beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, according to statistics shared with Congress and obtained by CBS News. The data indicates that a significant majority of these DACA recipients had criminal records, raising concerns about the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies on "Dreamers," who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
Context of DACA and Immigration Policy
DACA, established during the Obama administration, provides temporary work permits and deportation protections to individuals who meet specific criteria, including having arrived in the U.S. before June 2007 and not having serious criminal histories. The Trump administration has previously attempted to terminate DACA, arguing its legality, but the Supreme Court blocked this effort in 2020. Despite ongoing legal challenges, the program has not been fully dismantled, although its future remains uncertain.
As of June 2025, approximately 516,000 individuals were enrolled in DACA, primarily residing in states such as California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and New York. The Trump administration has moved to revoke various immigration protections established by previous administrations, yet it has not officially ended DACA.
Official Statements & Responses
In a letter to Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 241 of the 261 DACA beneficiaries arrested had "criminal histories." However, the letter did not provide details on the nature of these criminal records, prompting concerns from lawmakers. Senators Durbin, Alex Padilla, and Mark Kelly described the arrests as "deeply troubling," emphasizing the social and economic costs associated with disrupting families and communities.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that DACA is a temporary protection that can be revoked and that individuals with certain criminal histories are not eligible for DACA. The agency's letter highlighted that those who violate the terms of DACA are subject to termination and removal.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics argue that the arrests of DACA recipients represent a significant increase compared to unofficial estimates and challenge the characterization of these individuals as "the worst of the worst." Advocates for immigrant rights contend that DACA recipients undergo strict background checks during renewals, and many have no serious criminal convictions. They express concern that the arrests disrupt lives and communities without just cause.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The statistics regarding the criminal histories of arrested DACA recipients contrast sharply with broader ICE arrest data. In the first year of Trump's second term, ICE arrested nearly 400,000 immigrants, with less than 14% having violent criminal records. Overall, 60% of those arrested had criminal charges or convictions, while about 40% had no criminal records beyond civil immigration violations. This discrepancy raises questions about the criteria used to justify the arrests of DACA beneficiaries.
Verbatim Quotes
“DACA recipients go through strict background checks every time they renew this protection, and the Trump Administration has not hesitated to arrest immigrants with no serious criminal convictions and falsely label them the 'worst of the worst.'” — Anonymous Advocate
“disrupt families, harm communities, and inflict unnecessary social, emotional, and economic costs.” — Senator Dick Durbin
“ The high percentage of DACA arrestees with criminal histories, as outlined in the DHS letter, stands in sharp contrast with the lower criminality levels among the overall number of people taken into ICE custody under the second Trump administration.” — Internal DHS Document
“In its letter to Congress, DHS noted DACA is only a temporary protection that can be revoked.” — DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
