Feb. 9, 2026, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement responding to CBS News reporting showing Department of Homeland Security data confirms 60 percent of illegal aliens being detained and deported have criminal records:
“Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s most safe and efficient way of capturing illegal aliens is via detainer requests. CBS News’ reporting has uncovered that, surprisingly to them, this is true, that 60 percent of illegal aliens being captured and deported have committed crimes including violent crimes like assault, murder, kidnapping, robbery and so forth. That’s because they’re being largely picked up at court houses, jails, prisons and the like, transferring custody from state and local police departments to federal authorities. And the violent crimes rates are, as the administration has correctly asserted, far higher than the civilian, citizen population. In short, the illegal aliens being deported tend to be more violent than the general population, just as the President has said all along. CBS News’ reporting proves President Donald Trump’s enforcement efforts are prioritizing illegal alien criminals. One slight correction on the report, crossing the border illegally is a crime, too, and so 100 percent of illegal aliens are criminals. The reason to also deport those who are simply here illegally is it creates an incentive for other illegal aliens to self-deport, ending the cat and mouse game once and for all.”
Attachments:
“The statistics show ICE has dramatically increased arrests since Mr. Trump’s return to office. Nearly 60% of ICE arrestees over the past year had criminal charges or convictions, the document indicates. But among that population, the majority of the criminal charges or convictions are not for violent crimes.” Feb 9, 2026 at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arrests-violent-criminal-records-trump-first-year/
For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.
###