ICE arrests 1 person at courthouse, rumors of multiple arrests untrue, Polk County says

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Screenshot from the video, featuring One of President Trump's campaign promises was deporting migrants. Reporting from El Paso, Lauren Villagran explains deportation centers.
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By José Mendiola, Des Moines Register

Polk County, IA-The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said information regarding multiple arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Polk County Courthouse on Thursday morning were false.

Social media posts of ICE agents raiding the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines spread rapidly on Thursday.

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Although authorities denied there were multiple arrests, they did confirm that ICE agents did arrest one person, according to a news release sent late Thursday afternoon. The arrest took place in a public area within the courthouse and was done without incident, the release said.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office did not have information on the reason for the arrest.

“Arrests are made at the Polk County Courthouse frequently for a variety of reasons,” the statement said. “The Polk County Sheriff’s Office does not believe this arrest was any different than other arrests.”

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Has ICE been spotted in Iowa?

A spokesperson for ICE could not be reached for comment Wednesday to address rumors of ICE vehicles spotted throughout Iowa or on Thursday to address the Polk County postings and other sightings.

Grainy videos or photos claiming to show ICE vehicles at various places in the state have been shared on social media. Others are posts of sightings at area businesses in Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City, including at Hy-Vees. A spokesperson for the company said leaders are not aware of any “ICE raids” taking place at any of its stores.

Immigrants and advocates across the country have been on high alert since President Donald Trump was inaugurated Monday and immediately kicked off his sweeping immigration crackdown. On Monday, Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency and has said he will conduct large-scale deportations.

Officials and advocates had said Trump’s administration would launch sweeps in multiple U.S. cities almost as soon as he took office on Monday, with Chicago considered a likely first location, according to Reuters. That enforcement was later delayed after media published news of the plans, Reuters reported.

NBC News reported that from Monday to Wednesday, ICE had conducted 308 arrests across the country. For comparison, in September of 2024, the latest month for which data is available, ICE arrested 282 migrants per day.

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