Michael Clemens

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more people in July than any previous month of the Trump administration by employing new tactics like checkpoints and arresting academics. Experts noted that the focus on high arrest numbers often detains non-criminals with expired visas, leading to a confusing public mission statement. Additionally, a new September rule setting stricter visa time limits could potentially cost the nation's economy up to $145 billion per year by 2035.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported 51,000 arrests in July—the highest number recorded by the Trump administration—using new tactics such as airport detentions and National Forest checkpoints. However, policy analysts warn that focusing on high arrest numbers does not guarantee increased deportations, noting that many arrested are non-criminals who merely possess an expired visa. Furthermore, a pending rule is expected to impose stricter time limits on visas for students and researchers, potentially costing the nation's economy $145 billion per year by 2035.

President Donald Trump attributed a drop in car insurance premiums to his immigration policies, falsely linking prior increases to illegal immigration under the Biden administration. Experts counter that the premium changes were primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on driving behavior and supply chains, not immigration.