Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is at the forefront of a group of Republican lawmakers seeking clarity on the number of illegal immigrants deported by President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In a letter reviewed by Breitbart News, Roy and several colleagues, including Rep. Eric Burleson (R-Missouri), Rep. Eli Crane (R-Arizona), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia), and Rep. Mark Harris (R-North Carolina), reached out to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin for specific figures on the total number of illegal immigrants arrested and subsequently deported from the U.S.
Roy emphasized that as Congress and the public observe the Trump administration’s notable attempts to restore border security and enforce immigration laws after what he describes as years of ineffective policies under the Biden administration, it’s crucial to have a detailed account of enforcement activities.
He is particularly interested in how many illegal immigrants were caught at the southern border and deported and how many were arrested within the U.S. and deported after January 20, 2025.
Roy also seeks a detailed breakdown of arrests made in courtrooms, jails, homes, and during enforcement operations in areas that do not have sanctuary policies, as well as work sites. Additionally, he wants DHS to share the total number of arrests and deportations recorded in each state.
He believes that thorough reporting on these enforcement actions will enable policymakers to evaluate progress, find areas for improvement, and continue President Trump’s commitment to executing the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director David Venturera noted that DHS has deported over 900,000 illegal immigrants since Trump took office last year. However, this number lacks the specifics Congress needs, particularly regarding the comparison between deportations occurring in the U.S. interior versus those at the border.
In closing, Roy is requesting an estimation from DHS regarding the number of illegal immigrants currently residing in American communities, pointing out that the last official estimate was almost two decades ago.
