A new analysis of federal arrest data shows an increase in arrests for several low-level offenses across the United States in 2025, while arrests for several serious crimes continued to decline.
The report, released in late October by criminal justice research and advocacy organization FWD.us, found that arrests for vagrancy increased 44% between 2024 and 2025. Arrests for marijuana possession rose 6%, while arrests for possession of other drugs increased 3%.
The analysis also reported a 188% increase in arrests for immigration violations during the same period. According to the organization, immigration-related arrests continued increasing into 2026, averaging 36,093 per month through July.
The report identified several states that contributed significantly to the national increases. Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada accounted for more than half of the increase in vagrancy arrests.
FWD.us noted that the increase in vagrancy arrests followed a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which gave local governments greater authority to enforce restrictions on public camping and sleeping outdoors.
Drug possession arrests also increased in some states. California reported a 24% increase in arrests for possession of drugs other than marijuana, while Oregon reported a 39% increase. Both states made changes to portions of their drug policies in 2024.
The analysis also examined racial differences in marijuana possession arrests. In 2025, Black individuals were arrested for marijuana possession at more than four times the rate of white individuals. Arrests involving Black individuals increased nearly 10% from the previous year, accounting for 83% of the national increase in marijuana possession arrests.
At the same time, arrests for several more serious offenses, including homicide, robbery and burglary, continued to decline, according to the analysis.
FWD.us Executive Director Zoë Towns said there is an opportunity for policymakers to reconsider current approaches to criminal justice and enforcement.
The organization cautioned that increases in lower-level arrests could affect incarceration rates and racial disparities moving forward.
The report documents changes in arrest numbers but does not establish that specific policy changes caused all of the increases or determine whether increased enforcement resulted in improved public safety.
The findings come amid continued national discussions about crime, public safety, law enforcement practices and criminal justice policy.
