You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the heated debates at the dinner table. People are talking about "mass deportations" like they’re some distant concept, but the reality on the ground in early 2026 is much more complicated—and the numbers are staggering. If you’re trying to figure out how many people deported so far in this new era of enforcement, you aren't just looking for a single digit. You’re looking for the truth behind a system that has fundamentally shifted in the last twelve months.
Honestly, the data can be a bit of a mess. Between official DHS reports, independent trackers like TRAC at Syracuse University, and the "self-deportation" phenomenon, getting a straight answer requires some digging.
The Big Picture: 2025 and 2026 by the Numbers
Let's cut to the chase. Since the administration change on January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been moving at a breakneck pace. As of mid-January 2026, the official tally for formal deportations—what the government calls "removals"—has crossed a major threshold.
According to recent year-end reports from DHS, the government recorded over 622,000 formal deportations during the 2025 calendar year.
But wait. That’s only half the story.
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The administration has been heavily pushing what they call "Project Homecoming" and other incentives for people to leave on their own. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recently claimed that over 1.9 million people have "self-deported" since January 2025. This brings the total number of people who have left the U.S. under pressure or formal order to over 2.5 million.
If we look specifically at the start of Fiscal Year 2026 (which began October 1, 2025), ICE reported removing 56,392 individuals in just the first six weeks. That’s a 7% increase over the same period in the previous year, despite a massive government shutdown that temporarily gummed up the works in late 2025.
Breaking Down the Categories
Not everyone being deported fits the same profile. The government has been very vocal about "Operation Midway Blitz" and "Operation Metro Surge," which specifically target people with criminal records.
- Criminal vs. Non-Criminal: DHS claims that about 70% of those arrested in targeted interior operations have criminal charges or convictions.
- The "Worst of the Worst": There is a heavy PR push on a new webpage (wow.dhs.gov) highlighting the removal of high-level offenders, including those convicted of homicide or sexual assault.
- The Reality Check: While the focus is on "criminals," independent data from TRAC suggests a different trend in detention centers. As of November 2025, nearly 74% of people in ICE detention had no criminal record at all. Many are being held for simple visa overstays or "entry without inspection."
Why the Numbers Keep Growing
You might wonder why the count is surging so fast. It isn't just more boots on the ground; it’s a total shift in how the law is applied. Basically, the "prosecutorial discretion" that characterized the previous decade is gone.
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The administration has effectively ended "sensitive location" protections. This means arrests are now happening near schools, courthouses, and workplaces that were previously considered off-limits. Furthermore, the expansion of 287(g) agreements—partnerships where local police act as immigration agents—has grown by over 800%.
In places like Los Angeles, ICE has reported over 10,000 arrests since June 2025 alone.
The Impact of "Self-Deportation"
The $1,000 stipend and free flight home offered via the "CBP Home" app (which replaced the old CBP One app) is a weird, new variable. It’s a "carrot and stick" approach. The "stick" is the threat of permanent bans and workplace raids, while the "carrot" is a subsidized exit.
This is why the how many people deported so far question is so tricky. If someone leaves because they’re afraid of being caught, does that count as a deportation? The government says yes. Critics say it's more like a forced exodus.
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Detention Records and the 2026 Outlook
If you want to know what’s coming next, look at the beds. As of mid-January 2026, ICE is holding roughly 73,000 people in custody. That is an all-time record.
The goal is to reach a capacity of 100,000 by the end of this year. To make room, the government has partnered with states like Florida and Louisiana to open new facilities—some with colorful, if slightly grim, nicknames like "Alligator Alcatraz" or "Speedway Slammer."
Here is what the trend looks like moving forward:
- Negative Net Migration: For the first time in over 50 years, more people are leaving the U.S. than entering. Brookings Institution estimates that net migration for 2025 was between -10,000 and -295,000.
- Expanded Travel Bans: As of January 1, 2026, the list of "countries of concern" has expanded to 40. This has frozen green card and asylum applications for hundreds of thousands of people, making them technically "deportable" if their current status expires.
- Workplace Enforcement: Expect a pivot toward massive worksite audits. The administration has signaled that companies "employing illegal labor" will face stiff tariffs and criminal penalties in 2026.
What This Means for You
Whether you support these policies or find them deeply troubling, the sheer scale is undeniable. We are witnessing the largest movement of people out of the United States in modern history.
If you are looking for resources or trying to stay updated on how many people deported so far, it is vital to check both official DHS press releases and third-party audits. The government numbers often include "voluntary returns" at the border, which can inflate the total, while interior removals are a more precise measure of how many people are being taken from their homes.
Essential Next Steps for Staying Informed
- Monitor the TRAC Database: If you want raw, un-spun data on ICE court cases and detention numbers, Syracuse University’s TRAC is the gold standard.
- Check Local Policy: Many cities have stopped being "sanctuaries" due to the threat of losing federal funding. See if your local law enforcement has signed a 287(g) agreement.
- Watch the "CBP Home" Updates: The government's new app is where they post the latest "stipend" offers and self-deportation stats.
- Stay Legal: For anyone with a pending application from the "40 countries" list, seeking an immediate consultation with a specialized immigration attorney is no longer optional—it's a necessity.
The landscape is shifting weekly. The numbers we’re seeing in January 2026 are likely just the baseline for what looks to be an even more intense year of enforcement.