Immigration arrests are climbing fast again, but this time the surge is happening quietly.

This week, according to the New York Times, federal officials detained more than 10,000 people over five days, as ICE pushes to sharply raise arrest numbers. The agency's internal daily target has roughly doubled, from about 1,000 arrests a day earlier this year to close to 2,000 — a dramatic jump from the roughly 300 arrests a day recorded before President Trump's second term began.

Three federal officials told the Times the directive came from the White House, though one admitted it's unclear how long the pace can hold. 

Unlike the high-profile raids that swept through cities like Chicago and Los Angeles earlier this year, this latest wave has largely avoided the spotlight, a testament to Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s quieter strategy. 

“Markwayne’s making all the right choices. He’s relying on [border czar Tom] Homan. He’s stipulating that there were changes that needed to be made. … I’m impressed with what he’s doing. And I’ll tell you, what I’m really impressed with is the mood of the building. There is a sea of change in the way that they’re being treated, and the respect the career staff are being given,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) per The Hill in May. 

Agents have been picking people up during routine check-ins, traffic stops, and while walking down the street, rather than in large, visible operations.

However, that low-key approach hasn't made things less stressful for immigrant communities — if anything, it's done the opposite. Because the arrests blend into daily life instead of showing up as dramatic raids, families say it's harder to know when or where enforcement might hit next.

The escalation comes as federal data shows two out of three "at-large" arrests this year involved people with no criminal record, despite administration claims that enforcement is focused on serious offenders. It also follows a Supreme Court ruling this week upholding birthright citizenship, after the administration had pushed to end it.

With a $200 billion budget increase for ICE and Customs and Border Protection heading into fiscal year 2027, this may be less a spike than a preview of what's ahead.