US immigration arrests hit successive monthly records in the summer of 2026, with about 43,000 arrests in June, 49,000 in July and nearly 51,000 in August, as cooperation with local police expanded sharply.

The surge is driven by 287(g) agreements that deputise state and local police as immigration agents. The number of such agreements rose from 135 before President Trump took office in January 2025 to 2,608 by October 1, 2026, according to Department of Homeland Security data.

In July, local and state agencies accounted for about 13 per cent of ICE-related arrests, up from less than 5 per cent the previous year. In Oklahoma, more than 1,800 immigration-related arrests were made from January to July through the partnerships, though fewer than 20 per cent of those arrested had any criminal conviction.

Funding has surged as well, with billions allocated for state and local immigration enforcement. DHS said ICE has increased its partnership efforts with local law enforcement.