A CNN analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data shows a clear divide in how immigration arrests occur across states. In Republican-leaning states, 59% of ICE arrests happen inside prisons and jails, while in Democratic-leaning states, 70% of arrests take place in the community, such as workplaces and streets.
The difference reflects local policies: many blue states and cities have sanctuary laws limiting cooperation with ICE, especially around honoring detainer requests from jails without court warrants. In these areas, immigrants are often released before ICE can take custody, forcing the agency to rely on community arrests, as CNN explains.
