Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with convictions for sex offenses and homicide are currently at large, according to data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shared with lawmakers this week.
ICE provided Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, with national statistics concerning illegal immigrants facing criminal charges or those already convicted. As of July 2024, this data is divided into two groups: those detained by ICE and those not in custody, known as the non-detained docket. This docket includes individuals with final removal orders or those undergoing removal proceedings but not held in ICE facilities. Currently, there are over 7 million people on this docket.
Among those not detained, the data shows 425,431 have criminal convictions, and 222,141 have pending criminal charges.
The non-detained docket has surged to 7.4 million cases, including:
- 62,231 convicted of assault
- 14,301 convicted of burglary
- 56,533 with drug convictions
- 13,099 convicted of homicide
- 2,521 with kidnapping convictions
- 15,811 convicted of sexual assault
Additionally, there are 1,845 with pending homicide charges, 42,915 facing assault charges, 3,266 with burglary charges, and 4,250 with sexual assault charges.
One notable case from December 2023 involved Jesus Enrique Ramirez Cabrera, who entered the U.S. illegally through Arizona, was apprehended, and later released into the country.
“As of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket—13,099 convicted murderers!” Rep. Gonzales stated, adding, “Americans deserve safety in our communities.”
In a statement, ICE criticized so-called “sanctuary” cities, which do not cooperate with federal law enforcement in deporting criminal illegal immigrants.
“While some jurisdictions worry that working with federal immigration officials will harm trust with immigrant communities, sanctuary policies can shield dangerous criminals who often prey on these same populations,” ICE said.
ICE also highlighted its efforts to remove illegal immigrants, noting that from mid-May 2023 to the end of July 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed or returned over 893,600 individuals, including more than 138,300 family members. Most individuals encountered at the Southwest Border in the past three years have been removed, returned, or expelled.
