NAPA URGES DHS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NON-CRIMINAL DETAINEES AS ICE DETENTIONS SURGE
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed deep concern over the rapidly rising number of individuals being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly the overwhelming majority who have no criminal record. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal stated that the current detention trends raise troubling humanitarian and civil-rights questions and urgently require transparency from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
NAPA noted that at the end of September, before the government shutdown, ICE was detaining 59,762 people. However, according to ICE’s latest posting dated November 16, 2025, the detention population has climbed sharply to 65,135 individuals. What is even more alarming is that 47,964 detainees—73.6 percent of the total—have never been convicted of any criminal offense. This marks a major shift from public-safety-based enforcement toward indiscriminate detentions of non-criminal individuals.
During the federal shutdown, ICE enforcement shifted dramatically. The agency is now holding 5,373 more people compared to the pre-shutdown period, and 97 percent of this net increase—5,209 individuals—consists of people with no criminal history whatsoever. Only 3 percent of the increase includes individuals with criminal convictions, and these include even minor traffic violations. NAPA emphasized that targeting individuals without any criminal background contradicts ICE’s stated enforcement priorities and raises questions about the rationale behind this surge.
In light of these developments, NAPA has formally requested that DHS allow access to meet or review the cases of detainees who have no criminal convictions. The association stressed that such access is necessary to document their circumstances, assess detention conditions, and ensure that the rights of detainees are respected. NAPA also urged DHS to release updated, comprehensive information about the profiles, legal statuses, and detention durations of these individuals to ensure transparency and accountability.
According to NAPA, the mass detention of non-criminal individuals is not only a strain on taxpayers but also inflicts severe emotional and financial hardship on families and communities. The organization insisted that U.S. immigration policy must uphold humanitarian values and adhere to federal guidelines prioritizing individuals who pose actual public-safety risks.
NAPA called upon DHS to review and correct current detention practices and reaffirm its commitment to fair, just, and humane treatment of all individuals in immigration custody. The association reiterated its readiness to collaborate with authorities to monitor conditions, highlight concerns, and work toward solutions that respect both national security and human dignity.
NAPA Raises Alarm Over Surge in ICE Detentions of Non-Criminal Immigrants, Seeks Access to Detainees
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has sounded an alarm over a sharp and unexpected rise in the number of immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly individuals who have no criminal record. The organization says the trend represents a dramatic shift in federal enforcement priorities and demands immediate transparency from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to ICE’s own data, the agency was detaining 59,762 individuals at the end of September, just before the government shutdown. However, by November 16, 2025, the detention population had surged to 65,135. What stands out, according to NAPA, is that a staggering 47,964 detainees—nearly 74 percent—have never been convicted of any criminal offense. This marks a significant departure from ICE’s stated focus on individuals who pose security or public-safety threats.
NAPA points out that the federal shutdown period coincided with a major shift in the type of individuals being targeted. ICE is now detaining 5,373 more people than before the shutdown, and a remarkable 97 percent of this increase—5,209 individuals—have no criminal history at all. Only 3 percent of the increase involves detainees with criminal records, and even those include minor traffic violations. NAPA says the numbers make it clear that enforcement strategies have shifted toward sweeping up non-criminal individuals in unprecedented numbers.
In response to what it calls a troubling escalation, NAPA has formally requested that DHS allow the organization to meet or review the cases of detainees who have no criminal convictions. The group argues that direct access is necessary to evaluate detention conditions, understand the circumstances of those being held, and ensure their civil and human rights are not being violated. NAPA is also urging DHS to release updated, detailed information on the backgrounds and legal statuses of non-criminal detainees to ensure transparency and accountability.
NAPA leaders say the mass detention of people with no criminal history is inflicting unnecessary hardship on families and communities while also straining government resources. They argue that detaining thousands of individuals who pose no public-safety risk not only contradicts the agency’s official priorities but also raises troubling questions about due process and humane treatment.
The organization is calling on DHS to reevaluate its current detention practices and restore enforcement policies that align with humanitarian values, legal standards, and the agency’s own guidelines.
NAPA says it remains ready to work with federal authorities to address the issue and to ensure that those detained are treated with fairness and dignity.
NAPA Raises Alarm Over Surge in ICE Detentions of Non-Criminal Immigrants, Seeks Access to Detainees
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has sounded an alarm over a sharp and unexpected rise in the number of immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly individuals who have no criminal record. The organization says the trend represents a dramatic shift in federal enforcement priorities and demands immediate transparency from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to ICE’s own data, the agency was detaining 59,762 individuals at the end of September, just before the government shutdown. However, by November 16, 2025, the detention population had surged to 65,135. What stands out, according to NAPA, is that a staggering 47,964 detainees—nearly 74 percent—have never been convicted of any criminal offense. This marks a significant departure from ICE’s stated focus on individuals who pose security or public-safety threats.
NAPA points out that the federal shutdown period coincided with a major shift in the type of individuals being targeted. ICE is now detaining 5,373 more people than before the shutdown, and a remarkable 97 percent of this increase—5,209 individuals—have no criminal history at all. Only 3 percent of the increase involves detainees with criminal records, and even those include minor traffic violations. NAPA says the numbers make it clear that enforcement strategies have shifted toward sweeping up non-criminal individuals in unprecedented numbers.
In response to what it calls a troubling escalation, NAPA has formally requested that DHS allow the organization to meet or review the cases of detainees who have no criminal convictions. The group argues that direct access is necessary to evaluate detention conditions, understand the circumstances of those being held, and ensure their civil and human rights are not being violated. NAPA is also urging DHS to release updated, detailed information on the backgrounds and legal statuses of non-criminal detainees to ensure transparency and accountability.
NAPA leaders say the mass detention of people with no criminal history is inflicting unnecessary hardship on families and communities while also straining government resources. They argue that detaining thousands of individuals who pose no public-safety risk not only contradicts the agency’s official priorities but also raises troubling questions about due process and humane treatment.
The organization is calling on DHS to reevaluate its current detention practices and restore enforcement policies that align with humanitarian values, legal standards, and the agency’s own guidelines.
NAPA says it remains ready to work with federal authorities to address the issue and to ensure that those detained are treated with fairness and dignity.
NAPA DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY AS ICE DETENTIONS OF NON-CRIMINAL IMMIGRANTS SURGE NATIONWIDE
NEWS STORY
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has raised serious alarms over a dramatic rise in the detention of immigrants with no criminal history, calling the trend both deeply troubling and contrary to the stated priorities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). NAPA is now formally urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow direct access to these detainees so that their cases and conditions can be independently reviewed.
According to ICE’s own statistics, the agency was detaining 59,762 individuals at the end of September, just before the federal government shutdown. By November 16, 2025, that number had climbed sharply to 65,135, reflecting a surge of more than five thousand detainees within a short period. Even more alarming, NAPA notes, is that 47,964 of those currently detained—about 73.6 percent—have never been convicted of any criminal offense.
NAPA points out that during the government shutdown, ICE’s enforcement strategies shifted heavily toward individuals with clean criminal records. The agency is now holding 5,373 more people compared to the pre-shutdown period, and a striking 97 percent of this increase—5,209 individuals—consists of detainees with absolutely no criminal background. Only 3 percent of the increase involves individuals with criminal convictions, including minor traffic violations. NAPA says this dramatic shift reveals a troubling pattern of indiscriminate enforcement that disproportionately targets non-criminal immigrants.
In response to these developments, NAPA has requested that DHS grant permission to meet or review the cases of detainees who have no criminal convictions, citing concerns over due process, humane treatment, and the broader implications of detaining thousands of non-criminal individuals. The organization argues that transparency is crucial to understanding who is being detained, why they are being held, and whether their rights are being protected.
NAPA leaders emphasize that detaining such large numbers of non-criminal individuals places unnecessary emotional and financial strain on families, disrupts communities, and burdens taxpayers. The organization says the data clearly contradicts ICE’s stated commitment to prioritizing individuals who pose public-safety risks. Instead, the numbers point to an enforcement approach that sweeps up law-abiding immigrants without justification.
Calling the situation “a humanitarian and constitutional concern,” NAPA urged DHS to review current detention policies, restore enforcement priorities grounded in public safety, and ensure that the civil and human rights of detainees are upheld. The organization reiterated its willingness to work with federal authorities to examine conditions, document concerns, and advocate for fair and just treatment of individuals in immigration custody.
NAPA URGES DHS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NON-CRIMINAL DETAINEES AS ICE DETENTIONS SURGE
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed deep concern over the rapidly rising number of individuals being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly the overwhelming majority who have no criminal record. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal stated that the current detention trends raise troubling humanitarian and civil-rights questions and urgently require transparency from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
NAPA noted that at the end of September, before the government shutdown, ICE was detaining 59,762 people. However, according to ICE’s latest posting dated November 16, 2025, the detention population has climbed sharply to 65,135 individuals. What is even more alarming is that 47,964 detainees—73.6 percent of the total—have never been convicted of any criminal offense. This marks a major shift from public-safety-based enforcement toward indiscriminate detentions of non-criminal individuals.
During the federal shutdown, ICE enforcement shifted dramatically. The agency is now holding 5,373 more people compared to the pre-shutdown period, and 97 percent of this net increase—5,209 individuals—consists of people with no criminal history whatsoever. Only 3 percent of the increase includes individuals with criminal convictions, and these include even minor traffic violations. NAPA emphasized that targeting individuals without any criminal background contradicts ICE’s stated enforcement priorities and raises questions about the rationale behind this surge.
In light of these developments, NAPA has formally requested that DHS allow access to meet or review the cases of detainees who have no criminal convictions. The association stressed that such access is necessary to document their circumstances, assess detention conditions, and ensure that the rights of detainees are respected. NAPA also urged DHS to release updated, comprehensive information about the profiles, legal statuses, and detention durations of these individuals to ensure transparency and accountability.
According to NAPA, the mass detention of non-criminal individuals is not only a strain on taxpayers but also inflicts severe emotional and financial hardship on families and communities.
The organization insisted that U.S. immigration policy must uphold humanitarian values and adhere to federal guidelines prioritizing individuals who pose actual public-safety risks.
To
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Subject: Request to Facilitate Access to ICE Detainees With No Criminal Convictions
Dear Secretary,
I respectfully write to express deep concern over the rapidly increasing number of individuals being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite having no criminal record. This significant shift in detention patterns raises urgent humanitarian, legal, and ethical questions. In light of these developments, I request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately allow access—whether through in-person visits, virtual meetings, or public disclosure opportunities—to review the cases and conditions of detainees who have no criminal convictions.
According to ICE’s own published statistics, the enforcement landscape has changed dramatically over a short period. At the end of September, just before the federal government shutdown, ICE was detaining 59,762 individuals. By November 16, 2025, that number had risen sharply to 65,135, reflecting a substantial increase in the detained population. What is most alarming, however, is that 47,964 individuals—nearly three-quarters (73.6%) of all those currently detained—have never been convicted of any criminal offense.
During the government shutdown, this shift became even more pronounced. ICE began detaining an additional 5,373 individuals compared to the pre-shutdown period, and an overwhelming 97 percent of this increase (5,209 individuals) consisted of people with no criminal history—not even minor offenses. Only 3 percent of the net increase involved individuals with criminal convictions, including those related to minor traffic violations. These trends indicate that enforcement priorities have moved away from public-safety concerns toward sweeping detentions of non-criminal immigrants.
Such developments raise significant questions about fairness, resource allocation, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. Detaining people who pose no threat to public safety, especially in such unprecedented numbers, contradicts ICE’s stated priorities, places unnecessary strain on taxpayers, and creates severe emotional and financial hardship for families and communities across the country.
In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request that DHS and ICE take the following steps. First, please allow an in-person visit or virtual meeting with detainees who have no criminal convictions so that their circumstances, treatment, and legal situations may be properly documented. Second, please provide updated public data on the profiles, nationalities, lengths of detention, and legal status of these individuals to ensure transparency and accountability. Third, clarification is urgently needed regarding the enforcement shift that led to the disproportionate detention of non-criminal individuals during and after the government shutdown. Finally, I request a review of current detention practices to ensure compliance with DHS guidelines that prioritize individuals who pose genuine public-safety risks.
This request is made not in an adversarial spirit but out of humanitarian concern. Transparency in federal enforcement actions is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring the protection of civil and human rights for all individuals under U.S. jurisdiction. Understanding who is being detained, the reasons for their detention, and the conditions in which they are held is vital to upholding American values of fairness and justice.
I urge DHS to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and to grant access so that these concerns may be properly assessed. I look forward to your timely response and am prepared to cooperate fully with any procedures required to facilitate this request.
Respectfully,
[Your Name / Organization]
[Title, if applicable]
NAPA called upon DHS to review and correct current detention practices and reaffirm its commitment to fair, just, and humane treatment of all individuals in immigration custody. The association reiterated its readiness to collaborate with authorities to monitor conditions, highlight concerns, and work toward solutions that respect both national security and human dignity.