The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed deep concern over newly released data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), which highlights a growing trend of indiscriminate arrests and detentions of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
S: Chahal said that according to the latest report, the total number of individuals detained continues to increase, yet the proportion of those with any criminal convictions has decreased. Nearly 1,000 additional individuals were detained in the two weeks ending September 21, 2025. However, the number of detainees with criminal convictions actually decreased by 170, while those without any criminal charges or convictions increased by 1,016.
They said that as of September 21, 2025, 59,762 individuals were being held in detention. Surprisingly, 42,755—71.5% of the total detained population had no criminal convictions. Many of those classified as “convicted” were only charged with minor offences, including traffic violations.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said:
“These figures are a cause for serious concern. Detaining large numbers of individuals with no criminal history undermines the stated goal of targeting serious offenders and raises questions about due process and respect for human rights. Families and communities are being destabilised, while individuals who pose no threat to society face unnecessary hardship.”
The report also shows that Texas and Mississippi continue to rely heavily on detention facilities, with the Adams County Detention Centre in Natchez having the largest average daily population—more than 2,100 individuals. At the same time, more than 181,000 immigrants are being monitored under alternative detention programs, indicating that less harmful and more cost-effective approaches are available.
Chahal emphasised that immigration enforcement must be guided by the principles of fairness, proportionality, and respect for human dignity. He urges policymakers and government agencies to review these troubling practices and (NAPA) ensure that immigration enforcement does not disregard fundamental rights,” he said.