Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem mentioned on Thursday that since the beginning of the Trump administration, the number of immigrants in the U.S. without legal status has dropped to under 1.6 million.
“In less than 200 days, we’ve seen 1.6 million illegal immigrants depart from the U.S. This is significant. It means safer streets, savings for taxpayers, reduced pressure on schools and hospitals, and improved job opportunities for Americans,” she stated.
The Department of Homeland Security noted, according to a report from the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS), which is known for advocating low immigration levels. However, the CIS acknowledged some “warnings” regarding its estimates. They highlighted that these figures are based on the Census Current Population Survey (CPS) from the Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which doesn’t distinctly count illegal immigrants.
“With the recent enhancements in enforcement, immigrants might be less willing to take part in the CPS,” the report suggested.
It continued, “This could mean that the estimates concerning illegal immigration might exaggerate the true extent of the decline. Additionally, the data regarding legal immigration up to July 2025 is incomplete, which adds to the uncertainty of illegal immigration estimates.”
Typically, estimates for individuals living illegally in the U.S. hover around 13 million.
The CIS’s figure of 1.6 million marks a notable increase compared to earlier reports from the Department of Homeland Security.
In April, the Trump administration deported 135,000 individuals, though these figures are being questioned, with claims suggesting that the actual number was closer to 72,000.
TRAC reported that this year, immigration judges have ordered over 360,000 deportations, but it remains uncertain when those will be executed.
Additionally, the Trump administration has introduced a program to encourage voluntary departures, offering $1,000 to immigrants who sign up through the CBP Home App.
