Insights from Data on Trumps Immigration Policies and Deportation Actions

Insights from Data on Trump’s Immigration Policies and Deportation Actions to Date

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President Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy aims to deport millions, resulting in nearly 23,000 arrests and 18,000 deportations within a month. Arrests have risen compared to the Biden administration, although under Trump, they peaked at 872 per day, now averaging around 600. Deportations are lagging, with current figures showing an average of 600 per day. The total number of detainees has increased by over 4,000, reaching nearly 44,000, and ICE has halted many releases, focusing on detaining individuals without criminal records as well. Despite heightened enforcement, the pace may not suffice to meet Trump’s deportation goals.

The significant overhaul of immigration enforcement by President Trump, aimed at deporting millions, resulted in close to 23,000 arrests and 18,000 deportations in the last month, according to federal statistics.

While arrests within the U.S. have increased dramatically compared to the Biden administration, they remain lower than the peak levels observed at the onset of Trump’s presidency.

Deportation rates have continued to lag behind this surge. Consequently, there are now 4,000 more individuals in detention facilities than at the beginning of Mr. Trump’s term, with an additional 3,000 individuals being released back into the country after their detention.

ICE is making more arrests and detaining more individuals

Daily average for new detentions under the authority of ICE

Note: Statistics reflect bookings into ICE detention where ICE was the arresting authority. Some arrests may not lead to detention if the individual is released or immediately deported.

Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The administration ramped up its enforcement efforts shortly after Mr. Trump’s inauguration, and ICE promptly began publicizing the daily counts of immigrants apprehended during their operations. Data indicates that daily bookings into ICE custody — a rough gauge of arrests — peaked at 872 individuals per day in late January but subsequently dropped to just below 600 per day in the initial three weeks of February.

This represents a significant increase compared to the Biden administration, which averaged about 255 arrests and detentions per day last year. It underscores a notable shift in immigration enforcement priorities under Mr. Trump, focusing more on interior operations within the country.

However, deportation rates have not matched the level of arrests. As of mid-February, the latest available data indicates that ICE deported an average of 600 individuals per day, compared to over 750 individuals per day in the preceding 12 months through November.

ICE is deporting fewer individuals than in the past year

The decline in deportations can be attributed in part to a simultaneous shift in border policies. Under the Biden administration, most individuals detained and deported were apprehended crossing the southwestern border. Conversely, the Trump administration quickly closed the border, halting the asylum process and other programs established during Biden’s tenure that provided humanitarian assistance to migrants.

Currently, border agents are making far fewer arrests compared to last year, resulting in a decline in the number of migrants referred to ICE for detention and subsequent deportation. The exact number of individuals being removed directly from the border remains unclear, as this data has not been reported since Mr. Trump’s presidency commenced.

The number of people in ICE detention is on the rise

Total detained population categorized by arresting authority

Despite the reduction in arrests at the border, the intensified effort to detain immigrants in other areas of the country has resulted in detention facilities exceeding the capacity established by Congress for funding. The overall number of individuals in ICE detention has surged by over 4,000 in the last month, reaching nearly 44,000.

Simultaneously, far fewer immigrants are being paroled or released compared to the initial weeks of the Trump administration and also in comparison to the Biden administration.

Recent weeks have seen a decrease in releases from ICE detention

Note: Figures pertain to releases from ICE detention where the detainee was granted bond and released, either by ICE or an immigration judge, or were released after agreeing to meet specific conditions.

Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Under President Joseph R. Biden Jr., many individuals deemed non-threatening to the community or not flight risks were permitted to leave detention under certain conditions; however, this practice has largely ceased. ICE nearly entirely halted granting parole to detainees by late February, with a minimal number still being released after paying a bond or promising to meet specific conditions.

An increasing percentage of detained individuals have no criminal history

The administration has stated that its strategy is focused on detaining and deporting individuals with criminal records, and the majority of those in detention have been convicted of crimes. However, the data indicates that the proportion of individuals detained without any criminal charges has increased to 16 percent, up from 6 percent in mid-January.

Some government officials, including Tom Homan, the ICE director, have expressed discontent with the current enforcement numbers, seeking to fulfill one of Mr. Trump’s hallmark promises.

At the current rate, the administration does not seem poised to detain and deport millions this year, yet the figures could escalate rapidly. Republican lawmakers have put forth proposals for extensive new funding for ICE and other agencies, and Mr. Trump is working to enhance military involvement in immigration enforcement.

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