Between January and October 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 20 people in Stanislaus County, marking the first such arrests since at least 2023. According to data obtained by the Deportation Data Project at UC Berkeley Law School through a Freedom of Information Act request, six cases remained active as of October 15. The remaining cases resulted in deportations, removals, or voluntary returns, with some individuals deported within days of being taken into custody.
The data provides insight into ICE’s local operations but may not reflect all apprehensions. It does not include arrests made by other federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
An ICE spokesperson told The Fresno Bee: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is executing its mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens and others who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.”
All arrests occurred at either the Stanislaus County jail or the Sheriff’s Office. Of those arrested, 14 were from Mexico; two each from Romania and Honduras; one each from Cuba and India. All were men between ages 20 and 51.
One person had no criminal charges or convictions while the rest had either criminal convictions or pending charges; specific details on these charges were not included in the data.
Nationally, many people arrested by ICE officers in early 2025 did not have a criminal record. Research from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse indicates that about three-quarters of those held in detention centers lacked criminal convictions.
Mark Apostolon, vice president of strategic innovation at El Concilio California—a group offering resources to immigrants—commented on how broad labels can be misleading: “It often omits critical context such as how long ago a conviction occurred, whether a sentence was completed, or whether the person has since built a stable family and work life here,” said Apostolon. “Without that information, the term can be misleading and can fuel stigma rather than clarity.”
In Northern California this year, 37% of ICE arrests involved people without any charges or convictions—a figure that rose to nearly half by September.
Apostolon noted that even limited enforcement activity can affect entire communities by pushing families into crisis situations and discouraging participation in civic life or seeking medical care.
He cited reports after an incident at Stanislaus County Courthouse on July 1 when community members expressed fear about attending hearings or seeking victim protections—even when necessary for their safety—and also observed reduced attendance at places of worship.
José R. Rodriguez, chief executive officer and president of El Concilio California stated: “Behind every arrest number is a family, a workplace and often U.S.-citizen children whose lives are thrown into chaos overnight,” Rodriguez said. “When ICE data rely on vague labels like ‘convicted criminal’ without context, it fuels fear and stigma rather than informed public understanding — and it undermines the trust our community needs to stay safe and healthy.”
Since July, El Concilio California’s Immigration Hub has become a bilingual resource for residents seeking information about their rights as well as legal support services in Stanislaus County. The organization emphasizes that everyone has rights regardless of immigration status.
Residents looking for assistance can access services online at eccimmigrationhub.ai or visit the Modesto Family Center/Immigration Hub located at 1314 H St., Modesto; appointments are available via phone at 209-523-2860.
