Editor,

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests increased in May and June of this year, according to the University of California Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project, as reported through AXIOS Indianapolis. But arrests of those with no previous charges or convictions increased at a much higher rate.

Trump promised on the campaign trail to focus on immigrants with criminal history or gang affiliations. ICE has expanded its efforts well beyond that scope, which has been well reported by news media outlets. Living in the U.S. illegally is defined as a civil, not a criminal violation.

In January, when detention of immigrants escalated post-inauguration, only about 6 percent of those detained in Indiana had no previous criminal charge or conviction. In June, 23 percent of the 309 pe

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