February 2026 Newsletter

Issue #108

(Image from ICE website)

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Its stated mission is to conduct criminal investigations, enforce immigration laws, preserve national security, and protect public safety. ICE was created as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 following the September 11 attacks. It absorbed the prior functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Customs Service.

Budget

In 2016, the annual budget for ICE, was less than $6 billion — smaller than other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. But this year ICE's budget is $85 billion, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted last July -- becoming the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency. To put this into perspective, the budget for the entire Justice Department, including the FBI, stands at a little over $35 billion.

Congress.gov

Employees

Fueled by its bigger budget, ICE more doubled its workforce from 10,000 to 22,000 in just one year.

Department of Homeland Security

ICE received 220,000 applications in 2025, thanks in part to a generous incentive package with perks like a signing bonus of up to $50,000, disbursed over the course of a 5-year commitment, and up to $60,000 in student loan repayment.

Department of Homeland Security

ICE is still looking to hire deportation officers in at least 25 cities around the U.S., that will remain active through the end of September.

USA Jobs

Salaries

The starting salary for an ICE deportation officer in the Enforcement and Removal Operations division, or ERO, ranges from $51,632 up to $84,277.

Department of Homeland Security

Equipment

The budget increase has also provided ICE a windfall arsenal of new tools, including facial recognition, cellphone location databases, license plate readers and drones.

Department of Homeland Security

Training                        

ICE agents train for 47 days -- down from a 16 week program in 2015.

Department of Homeland Security

Goals

The administration's goal for ICE is to deport 1 million people each year. 

Visaverge 

In the first 100 days of 2025, ICE arrested 66,463 people and deported 65,682 individuals.

Visaverge

Detention Centers

There are 212 ICE detention centers in use across the country— 108 more than a year ago. ICE also has access to other facilities, including medical and juvenile centers. Some facilities are operated by ICE, while others are run through partnerships with local government or independent contractors.

USA Facts

The top 5 ICE detention centers averaging the most detainees per day are:

• ERO El Paso Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas -- 2,902
• Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi -- 2,184
• Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia -- 2,001
• Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California -- 1,814
• South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas -- 1,746

USA Facts

Detainees

As of Christmas 2025, ICE was holding 68,440 people in detention. Nearly 75% of them had no criminal convictions.

The Guardian

Detainee Criminal Records

The vast majority of detainees are not “the worst of the worst.” Rather as of January, just 29% of those detained by ICE had criminal records and approximately 8% of those were violent or property crimes -- including minor assaults.

Cato Institute

Detainee Deaths

32 people died in ICE custody in 2025 – making it the agency’s deadliest year in more than 2 decades.

The Guardian

December was the deadliest month in ICE custody – 7 people died. Some of those who died in detention had arrived in the US recently, seeking asylum. Others had arrived years ago,

some as children.

The Guardian

ICE Impersonators

As of 2025, more than 24 cases of impersonation by fake ICE agents occurred — a rate higher than during the previous 4 presidential terms combined. Investigators link part of the use of non-standard gear, unmarked cars, or masks, makes it easier for criminals to copy.

FBI

American Attitudes Toward ICE

57% of Americans oppose building more ICE

detention centers.

Pew Research Center

38% of U.S. adults support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally -- a drop of 9 percentage points from a year ago.

Gallup

54% of Americans oppose ICE conducting more raids at worksites.

Pew Research Center

58% of Americans say that ICE tactics are too forceful.

YouGov

46% of U.S. adults would somewhat or strongly support scrapping ICE.

YouGov

57% of Americans strongly or somewhat disapprove of how ICE is handling its job.

YouGov

34% of US adults say that they approve recent protests against ICE actions.

YouGov

53% of voters saying Renee Good's shooting in Minneapolis was not justified.

Quinnipiac University 

47% of Americans say they do not trust the government to carry out a fair and thorough investigation of the shooting of Renee Good.

Quinnipiac University 

For more on Immigration, click here.

You Are Not Alone

An initiative from Justice for Immigrants in response to the growing fear and instability caused by increased immigration enforcement and the threat of mass deportations. Assures migrants and their families that the Church stands with them, offering pastoral support and accompaniment during this difficult time. Provides practical ways for local organizations and individuals to show solidarity with migrant families such as emergency and family support, solidarity through public prayer and witness, and accompaniment and pastoral care. Learn more.

For more on Immigration, click here.

The Cabrini Pledge

A reminder from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, of our immigrant heritage and a call to deeper engagement with our faith in response to current events. The Pledge includes 7 commitments:

• To affirm, in word and deed, the inherent dignity of every person
• To engage with Scripture and the Church’s social teaching
• To listen and learn about the circumstances facing migrants and refugees
• To seek opportunities for encounter
• To consider what it means to be a good neighbor
• To encourage civic dialogue that places the human person and the sanctity of families at the center of policymaking
• To join with Pope Leo in praying for all migrants and refugees

Learn more.

For more on Immigration, click here.

Papal Teaching and Migration

A small group resource from Justice for Immigrants that explores common themes in papal teaching on migrants and refugees. This 4-part program is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded and printed. Themes include The Holy Family, Accompaniment, Evangelization and Solidarity & Shared Responsibility. Each session includes Scripture readings, reflection questions and prayers. Learn more.

For more on Immigration, click here.

Institute for New Economic Thinking

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization devoted to developing and sharing ideas that can repair the economy and create a more equal, prosperous, and just society. Conducts and commissions research, convenes forums for exchanging ideas, develops curricula, and nurtures a global community of young scholars. Learn more.

For more on Economic Justice, click here.

Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife of Your Trash

By Alexander Clapp. Exposes the reality of the multi-billion-dollar global garbage trade. Shows how much of our garbage gets shipped, sold, re-sold, or smuggled from one country to another, often with devastating consequences for the poorest nations of the world. Reveals how and why, for the last forty years, our garbage has spawned a massive, globe-spanning, multi-billion-dollar economy, one that offloads our consumption footprints onto distant continents, pristine landscapes, and unsuspecting populations. Read more.

For more on the Environment, click here.

Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison 

By Leslie Soble, Alex Busansky & Aishatu R. Yusuf. An exploration of the food crisis affecting millions of incarcerated Americans. Argues that everyone is deserving of nourishing food that affirms their humanity and dignity. Reveals a systemic drive to cut costs at the expense of health and decency. It is also a story of resistance and hope, chronicling how incarcerated people and their allies are fighting back, as well as exploring “farm to tray” programs, chef-led initiatives, and other ways to make food in prison a source of healing and bring dignity back to the table. Read more.

For more on the Criminal Justice System,

click here.

Jesus and Justice: Organizing for God’s Reign on Earth Then and Now

By John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz. Presents the life of the historical Jesus as a bold and transformative call to action, inviting readers to actively follow his nonviolent and revolutionary example. Grounded in rigorous historical analysis, the authors show how Jesus organized a grassroots movement of poor and marginalized peasants to confront the Roman Empire’s economic, political, and ideological domination—an imperial system with striking parallels to today’s corporate-driven global order. The book reveals Jesus’ message as a radically anti-imperial vision of God’s Reign: a collaborative, egalitarian and justice-centered alternative to systems built on scarcity and oppression. Drawing connections to modern movements led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, offers a powerful spiritual and theological framework for confronting contemporary injustice. Challenges readers to embrace Jesus' original revolutionary program of love, mercy and nonviolent action and equips them to respond to God’s call. 

Read more.

For more Community Organizing resources,

click here.

The Lake

A documentary that details the precipitous decline of the Great Salt Lake in Utah -- an “environmental nuclear bomb” that threatens the health of the region’s 2.8 million residents. Scientists have warned that the lake, the largest saline lake in the western hemisphere, may fully disappear within a matter of years, leaving a region home to over more than 80% of the state’s population susceptible to toxic dust from the exposed lake bed, unless drastic action is taken to curb water diversion. The lake, often called “America’s Dead Sea” (though it is four times larger than its counterpart in the Middle East), hit a record low in 2022, having lost 73% of its water and 60% of its surface area from excess diversion for agriculture and other water use. Learn more.

For more on the Environment, click here.

Global Fossil Fuel Divestment

Commitments Database

A resource from Stand.earth, providing the most comprehensive database of fossil fuel divestment commitments made by institutions globally. Organized in 5 categories: "Fossil Free," "Full," "Partial, "Coal and Tar Sands," and "Coal Only." Includes the total number of institutions, the value of divesting, what kinds of institutions, notable divestment commitments, websites and other information. Learn more.

For more on the Environment, click here.

Justice for Women

An organization dedicated to promoting and protecting women’s rights and human rights around the world. Driven by a deep commitment to empowering women, eliminating discrimination, and building a more equal and just society for everyone, its mission is to advance gender equality, end violence against women, and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and live with dignity. Especially committed to supporting survivors and combating all forms of violence—both during times of war and in times of peace. Works to break the silence, create awareness challenge harmful taboos and social norms, and shine a light on issues too often ignored. Through advocacy, education, and support, seeks justice for all those affected—women and men alike—by acts of violence and oppression. Learn more.

For more on Gender Inequality, click here.

NIV, Women's Devotional Bible

Features hundreds of devotions written by women for women. Includes guided reflections to help apply Scripture to daily life, and it will allow readers to get to know the women of the Bible through candid portrayals, helping to see them in both their victories and struggles. The group of contributors includes teachers, poets, ministry leaders, homemakers, conference speakers, missionaries, and authors. It includes wives, widows, those who never married, those who raised children and those who

remained childless.

Read more.

For more on Gender Equality, click here.

The Four Freedoms Fund

A national funder collaborative that was launched by NEO Philanthropy in 2003. FFF strengthens the capacity of the immigrant justice movement to ensure all immigrants, regardless of immigration status, have dignity, power to shape change, and agency to determine the quality of their life, community, and future. To achieve this goal, FFF believes in the need for a robust and powerful infrastructure of organizations leading the transformation of our country’s systems to be inclusive, fair and just, and grounded in racial, economic, and gender justice. Learn more.

For more Justice resources, click here.

The Eternal Song

The first of the 12-film Wisdom of the Ancestors documentary series, it is a cinematic journey through timeless lands and Indigenous cultures. Voices from across generations and traditions invite viewers to witness the enduring scars of colonization on lands and peoples, and the healing pathways carried through ancestral wisdom. Entrusted with medicine stories, the film grapples with colonial legacies, intergenerational trauma, and the culture of separation that fragments lives. The film reveals how modernity severs connection to nature, each other, and the ancestral realm, while feeding empty promises of salvation, unlimited consumption and economic growth, and individual happiness.

Watch the trailer.

For more Justice resources, click here.

Reclaiming American Catholicism: Faith, Politics, and the Future of the

Catholic Church 

By John Gehring & E. J. Dionne Jr. A portrait of American Catholicism at a crossroads between crisis and opportunity. Argues that the most vocal leaders in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy today embrace a culture-war Catholicism and that recalibrating the Church's engagement with politics and public life is vital for both the Church and the country. Illuminates the Church that Pope Francis envisioned through stories of Catholic advocates working on the border, young Catholics who question Church teachings but are active in social justice campaigns, LGBTQ+ Catholics within a Church that does not accept their full humanity, and seminarians who work in the fields with migrants as part of their religious formation. Offers a hopeful vision for the Church at a time when the Catholic social justice tradition is more relevant than ever. Read more.

For more Justice resources, click here.

Bombshell

A documentary film from PBS that explores how the U.S. government manipulated the narrative about the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through propaganda, censorship and the co-opting of the press, the government presented a benevolent picture of atomic power, minimizing the horrific human toll. Sheds light on the efforts of a group of intrepid reporters to let the world know the truth. Learn more.

For more on War, click here.

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