U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported more than 491,000 immigration-related arrests and 483,000 deportations during fiscal year 2026, calling both figures records. (Foto: Instagram)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported more than 491,000 immigration-related arrests and 483,000 deportations between October 2025 and September 2026. The agency released the figures on Nov. 12, describing them as records for its history.
In a statement, ICE said the fiscal year 2026 totals were more than eight times the deportations and six times the arrests recorded in President Joe Biden’s first fiscal year. The agency also said the deportation figure was more than twice the total in the last full fiscal year of the Obama administration.
A tougher approach to immigration enforcement was one of Donald Trump’s central promises during the 2024 presidential campaign. Arrests and deportations of foreign nationals in the United States began soon after Trump took office in January 2025.
Some detainees were sent to prisons in other countries, including the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, in El Salvador. The Trump administration has said its actions primarily targeted criminals and gang members, but its immigration policies have faced criticism and scrutiny.
The American Management Council (AMA) said most immigrants targeted by ICE had committed minor violations, such as overstaying visas, and had no criminal records. After Republicans lost control of Congress in midterm elections held earlier this month, Trump acknowledged that his administration’s immigration crackdown had been “too harsh.” He said the approach had hurt his party’s performance in the election.
