JALANDHAR: In light of recent statistics released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the growing number of individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the vast majority of whom have no criminal convictions.
NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal, in a press release issued today said that, according to the TRAC report dated June 15, 2025, ICE is currently detaining 56, 397 individuals—the highest number since May 2019. Alarmingly, 71.7 per cent (40, 433 individuals) of those detained have no criminal record whatsoever. Many among the remaining 28.3 per cent have only minor infractions such as traffic violations or municipal code offences.
"This is a disturbing trend that raises questions about fairness, justice, and the effective use of public resources, " said Chahal. "The fact that tens of thousands of people—many of whom are contributing members of their communities—are being detained without a criminal record highlights the urgent need to reform immigration enforcement policies."He further said that TRAC’s findings show a sharp increase in ICE detentions—more than 5, 000 additional detainees since the beginning of June—yet a steady decline in the proportion of detainees with criminal convictions. ICE’s continued reliance on large detention centres, particularly in states like Texas, New Jersey, Washington, and Georgia, further underscores the expansion of a detention system that disproportionately affects immigrant communities.
While emphasising the emotional and economic toll on families, Chahal said that "These detentions tear families apart, disrupt lives, and cause widespread fear in immigrant communities. Detaining individuals with no criminal history, or those who committed only minor infractions, is not a solution—it is an unnecessary act of state overreach."He also urged the federal government to increase transparency and prioritise Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs, which currently monitor over 183, 000 individuals, offering a more humane and cost-effective approach to immigration enforcement. Chahal said that the current data is a wake-up call. We urge the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to reevaluate their priorities and invest in programs that respect human rights, safeguard due process, and treat all individuals with dignity."