The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that more than two million illegal immigrants “have been removed or have self-deported” from the United States since Jan. 20, a pace officials say could set new records.
According to DHS, in fewer than 250 days, approximately 1.6 million individuals voluntarily left the country, while another 400,000 were deported by federal authorities. Officials described the figures as a “new milestone.”
“The Trump administration is on pace to shatter historic records and deport nearly 600,000 illegal aliens by the end of President Donald Trump’s first year since returning to office,” DHS said. “The era of open borders is over. For four straight months, United States Customs and Border Protection has released zero illegal aliens into the country.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that the results reflect the administration’s priorities.
“President Trump’s policies and Secretary [Kristi] Noem’s leadership are working and making American communities safe,” she said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message, noting that enforcement is increasingly focused on serious offenders.
“Ramped-up immigration enforcement targeting the worst of the worst is removing more and more criminal illegal aliens off our streets every day and is sending a clear message to anyone else in this country illegally: Self-deport or we will arrest and deport you,” Leavitt said.
The department also reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has received more than 150,000 job applications in recent weeks. DHS noted that since President Trump returned to office, all job gains have gone to American workers.
DHS further highlighted the administration’s expansion of detention infrastructure. The agency pointed to upcoming facilities—nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, Speedway Slammer, Cornhusker Clink, and Louisiana Lockup—designed to streamline the arrest, detention, and deportation process.
Leavitt reinforced the administration’s broader stance in remarks made earlier this year.
“President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences,” she said.
