ICE arrested 2,171 people in Arizona during July 2026

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 2,171 people in Arizona during July 2026. This is the highest monthly figure recorded in the state over the last four years, according to data from the Deportation Data Project.

The contrast is notable compared to July 2023, when ICE arrested 328 people throughout Arizona. That represents an increase of more than six times in just four years.

What the increase in immigration arrests reveals about the state

The Deportation Data Project is a research group from the University of California at Berkeley and UCLA. The organization uses public records litigation to obtain and analyze immigration enforcement data.

Tucson and the rest of Arizona fall under the jurisdiction of ICE’s Phoenix field office. That office oversees all arrest and detention operations in the state.

The increase in Arizona occurs within a similar national context. ICE arrested 49,571 people across the country during July 2026, the highest monthly figure of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to data analyzed by The Associated Press.

The migration trend at the national level

That national figure represents a 15% increase compared to June, when 43,021 arrests were reported. It also marks a 70% jump from February, when detentions totaled 29,241 people.

Texas and Florida accounted for nearly 20,000 of the national arrests in July. Both states rely on cooperation agreements known as 287(g), which allow local police to work alongside ICE.

ICE also hired 12,000 new deportation officers and investigative agents this year. The staff reinforcement coincides with sustained increases in arrests across the country.

A case that sparked outrage in Tucson

In recent months, the Tucson community has protested in support of Karla Toledo, a recipient of the DACA program. DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which grants temporary protection against deportation.

ICE agents detained Toledo, 31, at her home on May 18, 2026. Her family said agents entered without showing a court warrant.

ICE stated that Toledo assaulted an officer during the operation and that she had an active arrest warrant. The agency added that her DACA application was pending at the time of arrest.

Concerns about conditions in detention centers

Toledo remained detained at the Eloy Detention Center, operated by private company CoreCivic. Immigration experts have noted a history of medical neglect at that facility.

Federal Representative Adelita Grijalva visited Toledo during her detention and requested her immediate release. Toledo was released from the center four days later after posting a $1,500 bail.

Her case added to other arrests reported that same week in Tucson. Community organizers reported detentions of people with chronic illnesses who, they alleged, did not receive adequate medical care.

Legal framework behind these arrests

DACA beneficiaries have temporary protection against deportation as long as they maintain valid status. However, the government can request revocation of that benefit if pending criminal charges exist.

ICE agents need a court-signed warrant from a judge to enter a home without consent. An administrative warrant from the agency itself does not grant the same permission, according to civil rights organizations.

Arizona data also shows that most arrested people do not have criminal convictions. Others have been convicted only of non-violent offenses, according to the Deportation Data Project.

What Arizona residents can do

Families in Arizona can verify the immigration status of a detained loved one through the ICE hotline or local organizations like Derechos Humanos. Knowing your rights during an arrest can help you act with greater clarity.

Residents can also track updated data from the Deportation Data Project to understand the scope of operations in their community. The organization publishes periodic updates based on official ICE records.

If you have questions about a detention case, it is recommended to seek advice from a certified immigration attorney. Community organizations in Tucson and other cities throughout the state also offer free guidance to affected families.