Over 2 Million Illegal Immigrants Removed from US in Less Than 250 Days
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that more than 2 million undocumented immigrants have either been deported or self-deported from the United States since President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20, 2025.
According to DHS figures, approximately 1.6 million migrants voluntarily left the country, while more than 400,000 were formally deported. The administration has set a target of nearly 600,000 formal deportations by the end of Trump’s first year in office.
“The numbers don’t lie: 2 million illegal aliens have been removed or self-deported in just 250 days—proving that President Trump’s policies and Secretary Noem’s leadership are working and making American communities safe,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She added that enforcement efforts are prioritizing “the worst of the worst” criminal offenders, warning others to self-deport or face arrest.
DHS officials also highlighted that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released zero illegal immigrants into the country for four consecutive months. A United Nations study cited in the announcement reported a 97% drop in illegal migration from Central America, with nearly half of prospective migrants abandoning their journey out of fear of detention or deportation.
To support the crackdown, the administration has expanded detention infrastructure, opening new facilities nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, Speedway Slammer, Cornhusker Clink, and Louisiana Lockup. Additionally, more than 1,000 agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act have been signed across 40 states, allowing local law enforcement agencies to collaborate directly with federal immigration authorities. DHS emphasized that all new hires within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have gone exclusively to U.S. citizens, aligning with the administration’s domestic employment priorities.
The department said these measures are designed to speed up removals, strengthen enforcement, and maintain a “zero tolerance” approach to illegal immigration.
