U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more people per day in 2025 than at any other point in the past decade, even as the share of arrestees with criminal convictions fell to a near-historic low, a new study by University of Colorado economists reveals.

Why it matters: The data underscores a shift in enforcement priorities — away from targeting people with criminal records and toward broader sweeps — a strategy that could reshape the political and legal fight over immigration.

Driving the news: The findings come from a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper analyzing a decade of ICE arrest data.

• Chloe East, a labor economist and associate professor of economics at CU Boulder, examined ICE arrests between October 2015 and October 2025.

By the numbers: Immigration enforcement spiked at the outset of both of President Trump's terms — and increased even more the second time.

• In the first 10 months of Trump's first term, ICE averaged 435 arrests per day, a 43% increase from President Obama's final year in office.
• In the first 10 months of Trump's second term, that jumped to 821 arrests per day — 170% higher than in President Biden's last year.

Yes, but: Only 37% of ICE arrests in the first 10 months of Trump's second term involved people with criminal convictions — a sharp drop from prior administrations. The share was:

• 52% in Biden's final year.
• 70% in the first year of Trump's first term.
• 79% in Obama's final year.

Between the lines: Enforcement has shifted into public view.

• Nearly half of arrests in the first 10 months of Trump's second term were "community arrests" — at schools, churches, workplaces and on the street — up from 22% in his first term.
• The increases were especially pronounced in Democratic-leaning areas.

What we're watching: The federal government is in a partial shutdown as Democrats hold up funding while demanding ICE reforms.

Go deeper

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court declared a large swath of President Trump's tariffs illegal, the question is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will get refunds.

Why it matters: Trade Partnership Worldwide estimates $126 billion is at stake. And those tariffs likely made goods of all kinds more expensive by passing higher costs onto everyday Americans. Friday's SCOTUS ruling could lead to a chaotic refund process — and it's unclear who gets to pocket that cash.

State of play: In its Friday ruling, the Supreme Court left that question to the Trump administration. "The court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his dissent.

• TD Securities economists view the refund process as "unclear" and estimate that it could take up to 18 months as cases make their way through the federal court system.

Driving the news: Trump said Saturday he would hike global tariffs to 15% — the highest limit allowed under a separate trade law.

Zoom in: Trade Partnership Worldwide estimates that Colorado businesses paid $767.2 million in tariffs from February to December 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the high court rejected.

Boulder outdoor clothing company Krimson Klover joined a collection of small businesses in sending a letter to Trump and Congress demanding a refund of the extra tariff payments, the Colorado Sun reported.

Meanwhile, Colorado's U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper called for the Trump administration to offer restitution immediately after Friday's Supreme Court decision. If not, the senator said, Congress should pass his bill to repay business owners.

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🏠 Flatirons Habitat for Humanity and Community Foundation Boulder County are partnering to build 10 permanently affordable homes in the Marshall Fire burn area. (Boulder Reporting Lab)

📕 Michelle Alexander, a civil rights activist and the author of "The New Jim Crow," will speak next week at the University Memorial Center's Glenn Miller Ballroom at CU Boulder. (Daily Camera 🔑)

🍷 Hazel's liquor store in Boulder has filed a lawsuit against the city's liquor licensing authority and Whole Foods over a modification to the grocery store's liquor license. (BizWest 🔑)

🚔 A man is facing upgraded charges of attempted murder after police say he punched and choked a Boulder officer during a call on Feb. 9. (Daily Camera 🔑)

Where art thou, Fido? The University of Colorado Boulder is searching for two dogs to star in this summer's Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

Why it matters: You always thought your dog was destined for the spotlight; now is your chance to prove it.

State of play: The Colorado Shakespeare Festival will cast two small pups to play the part of "The Dog" in a production of "Shakespeare in Love," based on the 1998 film.

• Dogs must be less than 20 pounds and able to follow commands, including jumping on actors.
• The dogs' humans will get a stipend and complimentary tickets.
• Owners must complete the audition form by March 23, and finalists will move on to auditions March 28.

Out, damned Spot

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Erie's Jaccob Slavin is a gold medalist, after the defenseman helped the United States men's hockey team to an overtime victory over Canada yesterday.

The latest: The U.S. won its first gold medal in men's hockey since the "Miracle on Ice" team of 1980.

• Slavin, who plays in the NHL for the Carolina Hurricanes, had several key defensive plays in the 2-1 win.