ICE uses “criminal alien” as an operational term for a non‑citizen who is removable and who has been charged with or convicted of crimes (or is assessed as a public‑safety threat). It is not an immigration status like “lawful permanent resident” or “non‑immigrant” — it describes a person’s enforcement priority under programs such as the Criminal Alien Program (CAP).
The DHS/ICE release frames most entries as convictions (e.g., “criminal history includes convictions”), so ICE is asserting these are court convictions. However, the press release is an agency statement and does not itself provide court documents; ICE also targets people who are charged or otherwise removable. Independent confirmation requires checking court records (state court clerks or federal PACER) for each individual.
ICE reports a person’s ‘country of citizenship’ from its operational records and identity‑verification processes (agency databases, case files and, when needed for removals, electronic nationality verification or consular coordination). For removals, ICE/ERO works with State and foreign consular authorities (and programs such as ENV/eTD) to verify nationality and secure travel documents.
ICE’s “more than 1,300% increase in assaults” claim in the release is an agency statement; the release does not cite the exact baseline, timeframe, or dataset. To verify ICE’s baseline/timeframe you must request the underlying ICE/DHS statistics (ERO assault reports or internal incident counts) or look for a DHS/ICE data release or Inspector General audit that provides the period and figures — the press release itself does not supply them.
ICE field offices generally coordinate arrests through established local partnerships: they may work with the local law‑enforcement agency that holds a suspect (detainer/CAP access), run joint operations, or notify local prosecutors when ICE identifies a removable non‑citizen with criminal records. CAP and ERO guidance emphasize coordination with state/local jails, U.S. Attorneys’ offices and law‑enforcement partners.
After an ICE arrest the paths vary and can combine options: (1) If the person has pending or new criminal charges they may face local/state or federal criminal prosecution first; (2) ICE can place the person in immigration detention and initiate removal proceedings (administrative immigration case); (3) if there is a final order of removal and travel documents/cooperation are available, ICE may remove (deport) the person. These processes often run concurrently or sequentially (criminal case then immigration proceedings or post‑conviction transfer to ICE).