It is 2026, and if you have scrolled through your feed lately, you’ve likely seen some pretty wild numbers being tossed around regarding immigration. Some people claim the government is moving millions; others say the system is barely keeping up with its own paperwork. But when you strip away the political shouting matches, what do the actual logs show? Specifically, how many people has ICE deported since the agency’s inception, and where do we stand right now?
The truth is a lot more complicated than a single headline.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) didn't even exist before 2003. It was born out of the post-9/11 reorganization that created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since then, the agency has been the primary arm for "interior enforcement," meaning they handle the people already inside the country, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mostly sticks to the actual border line.
If you want the "big picture" number, ICE has deported millions of people over the last two decades. But the "how" and "when" of those deportations have shifted dramatically depending on who is sitting in the Oval Office.
Breaking Down the Decades: The Era of Mass Removals
To understand the current surge, you have to look back at the "Deporter-in-Chief" era. That’s the nickname immigrant rights groups gave Barack Obama, and for a good reason. During his two terms, his administration oversaw the removal of roughly 2.7 million people.
In 2012 alone, the agency hit a historic peak, averaging over 1,100 deportations every single day.
Wait, you might be thinking, wasn't the first Trump administration more aggressive? In terms of rhetoric, absolutely. But in terms of raw numbers, the first Trump term actually saw fewer total removals—about 935,000 over four years—compared to Obama’s first term. Why? Because the "low-hanging fruit" of recent border crossers had shifted, and legal challenges began to gum up the works.
Then came the Biden years. For the first bit of his term, numbers plummeted. In 2021, deportations dropped to about 59,000. But by 2024, they were back up to 271,484 as the administration pivoted toward more traditional enforcement.
The 2025-2026 Surge: What’s Happening Now?
Fast forward to right now. Since President Trump returned to office in early 2025, the gears have shifted into overdrive. According to recent data from the Department of Homeland Security, the administration is on pace to reach nearly 600,000 removals by the end of this first year back.
As of late 2025, DHS reported over 527,000 deportations already completed.
But here is where it gets kind of weird. The administration has also been pushing "voluntary self-deportations." They claim over 1.6 million people have left the U.S. on their own because of the increased pressure and the "promise" of mass enforcement.
Who Is Actually Getting Sent Back?
A lot of the debate right now is about who is being targeted. ICE officials like Acting Director Todd Lyons have been vocal about focusing on "dangerous criminals," but the data tells a slightly different story.
Back in October 2024, about 65% of people in ICE detention had a criminal conviction. By September 2025, that number flipped. Only about 35% had a criminal conviction, while the rest were being held for simple immigration violations—things like overstaying a visa or crossing the border without a permit.
Honestly, the target has widened.
Under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the agency has rolled back older directives that once protected "sensitive areas." We’re talking about places like:
- Hospitals
- Courthouses
- Places of worship
- Schools
Basically, the "safe zones" are gone. This shift is a huge reason why we’re seeing such a jump in the numbers. ICE is no longer just waiting for someone to get arrested for a crime; they are actively searching for anyone without legal status.
The Detention Surge
You can't have record deportations without a place to put people first. The detention system is bursting at the seams. In early 2026, the number of people held in ICE custody hit nearly 69,000, a 50% increase in less than a year.
It hasn't been without a cost. 2025 was reportedly the deadliest year for the agency in over two decades, with 32 deaths in ICE custody. That matches a record high from 2004.
Why the Numbers Are Hard to Track
If you’ve ever tried to look this up yourself, you’ve probably noticed the numbers don't always match. One report says 300,000, another says 600,000.
The discrepancy usually comes down to "removals" vs. "returns."
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened to Holly McFeeture and Her Fight for the Innocence Project
- Removals: These are formal, court-ordered deportations. If you get removed and try to come back, you’re looking at serious felony charges.
- Returns: This is more like "turning around at the gate." It’s a confirmed movement out of the country but doesn't always carry the same permanent legal penalty.
CBP (the border guys) handles a lot of returns. ICE (the interior guys) handles mostly removals. When politicians talk about "deportations," they often lump these two together to make the number look bigger.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
We are looking at a period of "negative net migration." For the first time in about half a century, more people are likely leaving the United States than entering. The Brookings Institution and other analysts expect this trend to hold through 2026.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act has pumped unprecedented funding into the agency. This means more agents, more planes for "deportation flights," and more surveillance tech like license plate readers.
So, what should you actually do with this info?
Know the source. If you see a number on social media, check if it’s an official DHS "removal" or an estimate of "self-deportations." There’s a massive difference.
📖 Related: 華盛頓郵報中文網：這家百年老報為什麼還在堅持做中文內容？
Understand the legal landscape. If you or someone you know is navigating this, legal representation is everything. Statistically, having a lawyer significantly reduces the likelihood of deportation, yet because immigration is a civil matter, the government doesn't have to provide one for you.
Watch the states. Places like Illinois, New York, and Washington have passed laws to block ICE from using local resources or databases. These "sanctuary" policies are the primary reason why arrest rates are much lower in those states compared to Florida or Tennessee.
The machinery of ICE is moving faster than it has in years. Whether that's "the system working" or a "humanitarian crisis" depends entirely on who you ask, but the data confirms one thing: the numbers are real, and they are rising.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Official Logs: For the most up-to-date monthly stats, visit the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) website. They publish "Enforcement Lifecycle" reports that break down removals by country of origin and criminal status.
- Verify Legal Status: If you are an employer or a resident concerned about status, use the official USCIS portal to check the status of pending applications. Do not rely on third-party "status checker" apps that may be phishing for data.
- Follow TRAC Reports: The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University is the gold standard for independent, non-partisan data on ICE activities. They often catch trends months before the government admits to them.