Texas and Louisiana Drive America’s Immigration Detention System

Texas and Louisiana now stand at the center of America’s immigration detention network, holding nearly one-third of all individuals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on any given day. A new analysis from Suzuki Law Offices reveals that Texas houses more than 12,000 detainees daily — more than any other state — while Louisiana, despite its much smaller population, ranks second with over 7,000 detainees.

The numbers are stark. Together, these two states detain more people than most of the rest of the country combined. Their prominence underscores how regional policy choices, federal partnerships, and facility capacity shape immigration enforcement outcomes.

A System Tilted Toward Mass Detention

Nationwide, ICE detains tens of thousands of people each day. Yet Suzuki Law’s review of ICE population records shows that Texas and Louisiana alone account for nearly 30% of the total detainee population. Many of these individuals are held in privately operated detention centers, built and expanded under lucrative federal contracts.

While detention is often framed as a tool for handling individuals with criminal records, the data paints a different picture: nearly half of all ICE detainees nationwide have no criminal history. This finding has fueled criticism that enforcement strategies emphasize volume over public safety.

Why the Numbers Are So High

Suzuki Law’s analysis identifies several factors behind Texas and Louisiana’s outsized role:

• 287(g) Agreements: Dozens of local law enforcement agencies in both states have signed agreements allowing officers to act as immigration enforcement agents, funneling people into ICE custody.

• Border Geography: Texas’s 1,200-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border makes it a frontline state for immigration enforcement.

• Private Facility Capacity: Both states host large detention centers, with bed counts that encourage higher occupancy rates.

• Restrictive Policies: Unlike states that have enacted sanctuary protections, Texas and Louisiana prohibit limits on cooperation with ICE.

Who Is Being Detained?

In April 2025, ICE reported that 46% of detainees nationwide had no criminal record. Many ended up in custody through minor encounters such as traffic stops, workplace raids, or community sweeps. Advocates argue these practices do little to advance public safety and instead sweep up individuals who are long-time community members with families, jobs, and no history of violence.

Legal and Human Rights Implications

The concentration of detainees in Texas and Louisiana creates challenges that go beyond numbers. Immigration courts in both states face mounting backlogs, meaning detainees can spend months or even years awaiting hearings.

Another issue is access to legal representation. Many detention centers are located in remote areas, far from immigration attorneys or nonprofit service providers. Without counsel, detainees face steep odds in navigating the complex immigration court system.

Family separation adds another layer of harm. Because many detainees are housed far from their homes, spouses and children often struggle to maintain contact. Advocates warn that the emotional and financial toll can ripple across entire communities.

Expert Insight

“These detention numbers represent a systemic choice, not an inevitability,” said a spokesperson for Suzuki Law Offices. “When nearly half of detainees have no criminal record, it calls into question whether resources are being used effectively — and whether communities are being harmed in the process.”

The Policy Debate

Supporters of the Texas and Louisiana approach argue that strong cooperation with ICE ensures border security and enforces federal law. Opponents counter that the practice amounts to mass detention without improving safety, while consuming billions of taxpayer dollars.

Immigration detention costs the U.S. nearly $3 billion annually. With such a large share of detainees housed in just two states, policymakers face growing pressure to examine whether the expense aligns with public safety goals — or whether reforms could better balance security with due process.

Looking Forward

As the immigration debate continues nationally, Texas and Louisiana remain ground zero for detention policy. Their sheer numbers guarantee that decisions made in these states reverberate across the system.

The findings from Suzuki Law raise a pressing question: is America’s reliance on large-scale detention a solution to immigration challenges, or a costly system that prioritizes volume over justice?

For full rankings and methodology, view the report here: Suzuki Law Offices Research – States with High ICE Detentions vs. Migrant-Friendly Havens