The Trump administration has deported over 332,000 undocumented immigrants from the U.S. so far.
There was a slowdown earlier, but deportations have really picked up recently.
By August, removals reached about 1,500 per day, a rate reminiscent of the Obama administration, which was often dubbed the “Chief Deporter.”
Most of those deported were arrested within the U.S., contrasting with the approach taken by Obama and Biden, who primarily focused on recent border crossers.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security noted, “The Secretary of Homeland Security has directed ICE to focus on the most dangerous individuals, including gang members, murderers, and others who pose serious threats.”
Reports indicate that ICE has significantly surpassed its previous year’s numbers, which ended in September with around 271,000 deportations. The goal for the Trump administration is to reach over one million deportations annually.
Additionally, the federal government has increased funding for ICE, receiving a substantial financial boost of $76 billion linked to Trump’s legislative initiatives.
ICE’s operational capacity is impressive, now boasting nearly double the aircraft available earlier this year. The aviation charter firm, CSI Aviation, is ramping up military and deportation flights.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 359,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended within the country, with approximately 1.6 million choosing to leave voluntarily.
Under the Trump administration, the capacity for detaining illegal immigrants has expanded significantly, with a goal to accommodate 100,000 at any given time.
Recent analyses indicate the construction of at least 11 new facilities, which are expected to help states and private contractors increase availability by over 18,000 detention beds.
Currently, around 59,000 undocumented immigrants are in ICE custody, nearing a capacity threshold of 62,000 that was recorded back in April.
