The U.S. immigration detention system has reached full capacity, housing 47,600 detainees, a senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official confirmed on Wednesday. The Trump administration is now seeking additional bed space to accommodate its intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
According to Reuters, ICE, which is currently funded to detain an average of 41,500 individuals, has exceeded that limit and is working with the U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Prisons to expand capacity. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also stated that the agency is in discussions with lawmakers to secure more funding for detention facilities.
A demonstrator holds a sign calling for protection from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a Board of Regents meeting at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, U.S., March 12, 2025. REUTERS/David Ryder
President Donald Trump has pledged to ramp up deportations, arguing that the move is necessary following what he calls an era of unchecked illegal immigration under his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, previously stated in December 2024 that the administration would require at least 100,000 beds to carry out mass deportations effectively.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has significantly increased ICE arrests, including those of undocumented immigrants without any prior criminal record. Between January 20 and March 10, ICE reported making approximately 32,800 arrests, with 27% of those being individuals with no additional criminal charges or convictions.
Despite the increase in arrests, initial deportation numbers under Trump have not yet surpassed those recorded during the Biden administration. However, ICE deportations during Biden’s tenure were inflated by rapid removals of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
