ICE Arrests Drop 12% After Minneapolis Killings Spark Shake-up

Nationwide weekly arrests by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement fell from an average of 8,347 to 7,369 in the five weeks following February 4, 2026. This nearly 12% decline followed the late January killings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration officers in Minneapolis, which triggered widespread public outcry over heavy-handed enforcement tactics.

The violence led to a leadership shake-up within the administration. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who had championed a "turn and burn" strategy, was pushed aside, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was fired in early March. On February 4, border czar Tom Homan announced a drawdown of agents in Minnesota to establish a new enforcement course.

Regional data shows the decline was inconsistent. While arrests dropped steeply in Minnesota and Texas, they rose significantly in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Additionally, despite the administration's stated goal of targeting criminals, data indicates that 41% of those arrested after February 4 had no criminal charges or convictions, a slight decrease from the previous rate of 46%.