Texas and Louisiana have become the epicenter of U.S. immigration detention, holding more than 19,000 people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on an average day. A new analysis from Suzuki Law Offices shows Texas leads the nation with over 12,000 detainees daily, while Louisiana ranks second with more than 7,000 — despite having a fraction of Texas’s population.

The concentration of detainees in these two states highlights deep questions about enforcement strategy, due process, and whether the system prioritizes detention numbers over public safety.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

According to Suzuki Law’s review of ICE data:

• Texas detains more than 12,000 people daily, the most of any state.
• Louisiana detains more than 7,000 daily, the second-largest figure in the country.
• Combined, the states account for almost 30% of ICE detainees nationwide.

Most of these individuals are held in privately operated detention centers under federal contracts, many located far from major cities or legal aid services.

Why Detentions Are Concentrated Here

Several factors explain why Texas and Louisiana lead the nation in ICE detentions:

• Law Enforcement Cooperation: Both states participate heavily in ICE’s 287(g) program, deputizing local officers to assist in immigration enforcement.
• Border Dynamics: Texas’s extensive border with Mexico creates high levels of enforcement activity.
• Detention Infrastructure: Both states have built large-capacity facilities, allowing them to house thousands of detainees.
• Restrictive Policies: State laws prohibit local governments from limiting cooperation with ICE, unlike sanctuary jurisdictions elsewhere.

The Non-Criminal Majority

A striking feature of ICE detention is that many detainees have no criminal background. In April 2025, 46% of all ICE detainees nationwide had no criminal record. Detention often stems from minor encounters:

• Routine traffic stops that escalate into immigration checks.
• Workplace raids in industries like food processing or agriculture.
• Community sweeps where individuals are detained without warrants.

Critics argue these practices undermine trust in law enforcement and waste resources that could be directed toward genuine public safety threats.

Human Impact and Systemic Challenges

The heavy reliance on detention in Texas and Louisiana creates ripple effects throughout the legal system. Immigration courts are overwhelmed, with cases delayed for months or years. Access to lawyers is limited, especially for detainees housed in rural areas.

Family separation is another consequence. Many detainees are kept far from relatives, making visits costly and infrequent. Advocates stress that this isolation can compound the trauma of detention, particularly for parents with children.

Expert Commentary

“Behind these numbers are thousands of individuals whose lives are disrupted by a system that too often detains first and asks questions later,” said a spokesperson for Suzuki Law Offices. “When nearly half of detainees have no criminal history, it suggests that enforcement priorities are misaligned with community safety.”

A Flashpoint in National Policy

Supporters of the Texas and Louisiana model argue that strict cooperation with ICE is necessary to uphold immigration law and secure the border. Opponents contend that mass detention does not improve safety and instead imposes massive financial and social costs.

Immigration detention costs U.S. taxpayers nearly $3 billion each year, raising questions about whether the approach is sustainable or effective. With such a large share of detainees concentrated in just two states, the stakes of this policy debate are especially high.

Looking Ahead

As the U.S. grapples with immigration reform, the experience of Texas and Louisiana offers a preview of the tradeoffs involved. Their detention numbers show what happens when federal partnerships, private capacity, and restrictive state policies align to produce large-scale detention.

The broader question is whether this model serves as a template for national enforcement — or as a warning about the costs of prioritizing detention above all else.

Read the full study here: Suzuki Law Offices Research – States with High ICE Detentions vs. Migrant-Friendly Havens