(NewsNation) — As the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues, the Department of Homeland Security has released new data that shows how deep gang activity is in the U.S.
According to DHS sources, ICE has made 294,379 arrests so far in 2025, and 1 out of 45 of those arrested involves a known gang member. More than a third are tied to two of the most violent organizations that are operating in the U.S., Tren de Aragua and MS-13.
DHS has been spotlighting TdA busts, including one out of San Antonio where 51 members were arrested in a multiagency effort.
In the meantime, MS-13 remains one of the most entrenched transnational threats. Recent arrests include alleged leaders and high-ranking operatives. Both organizations have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations under the Trump administration.
While federal immigration officers are still going after those they consider the “worst of the worst,” not all are gang members. Most of the arrestees have serious criminal convictions, like a 32-year-old Mexican national who entered the U.S. illegally 13 times and was busted by the DEA in Denver, Colorado, when agents found 75 pounds of methamphetamines inside car tires. He is now facing prosecution and removal.
Some of the arrests made by ICE and Border Patrol might not have criminal records at all in the United States, but they might have one in their home countries. The issue is that those countries usually don’t hand over that data to the U.S., creating issues when officials try to vet people coming into the country.