If you’ve been following the news lately, you know the atmosphere surrounding immigration is, well, intense. Everyone has an opinion, but nobody seems to have the same set of numbers. It’s messy. Between the high-octane political rhetoric and the quiet, bureaucratic data drops from federal agencies, finding a straight answer on how many people have been deported this year feels like trying to assemble a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape.
We are officially in 2026. Looking back at the full calendar year of 2025 and the opening weeks of this year, the shift in enforcement is undeniable.
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Honestly, the numbers are high, but they aren't exactly what the "million-a-year" headlines promised. They represent a massive logistical pivot that has turned the U.S. interior into a primary focus for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The 2026 Reality: By the Numbers
Let's cut to the chase. According to the latest figures from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and analyzed by groups like the Migration Policy Institute, about 622,000 noncitizens were deported during the first full year of the current administration (ending late 2025).
As we move through the first few weeks of 2026, the pace remains blistering.
Early data from Fiscal Year 2026—which actually started in October 2025—shows that ICE removed 56,392 individuals in just the first six weeks. If you do the math, that puts the agency on a trajectory to potentially exceed last year’s totals, though "on pace" and "actual results" are two different things in the world of federal logistics.
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There’s also this huge category called "self-deportations." The administration claimed back in December that nearly 1.9 million people left the U.S. voluntarily. They’ve been pushing the "CBP Home" app, which offers free flights and a $1,000 incentive for people to return to their home countries. Whether those millions actually left or just moved deeper into the shadows is a point of massive debate among experts.
Who is actually being targeted?
For a long time, the narrative was about "the worst of the worst"—meaning people with serious criminal convictions. But the data shows a different story unfolding in 2026.
Back in late 2024, about 65% of people detained by ICE had a criminal conviction. Fast forward to now, and that's flipped. As of January 2026, more than 40% of people in ICE custody have no criminal record or even pending charges. They are "other immigration violators."
Basically, if you're here without papers, you're a priority. The "sensitive locations" policy—the one that used to protect people at hospitals or schools—is largely a thing of the past.
Why the deportation machine is revving up
It isn't just about more boots on the ground, though that's part of it. It’s about money and space.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" dumped about $15 billion into ICE’s lap for detention alone. They’ve been opening new facilities at a breakneck pace. By the end of last year, ICE was using 104 more facilities than it started with—a 91% increase. We're talking about everything from small county jails to massive tent cities on military bases that can hold 5,000 people at a time.
- Expedited Removal: They’re trying to use a fast-track process that skips the immigration judge entirely.
- Elimination of Parole: Programs that allowed people from places like Haiti or Venezuela to stay legally have been scrapped.
- No More Bond: It’s much harder to get out of detention once you’re in. In December 2024, for every one person released, about 1.6 were deported. Now? For every one person released, over 14 are deported.
The Economic Ripple Effect
You can't move hundreds of thousands of people out of a country without the economy noticing. The Dallas Fed recently noted that net unauthorized immigration turned negative in February 2025.
That hasn't happened in half a century.
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Because of this, we’re seeing "breakeven" employment growth numbers drop. In plain English: the U.S. needs fewer new jobs just to keep the unemployment rate steady because the working-age population is actually shrinking in some sectors.
Agriculture and construction are feeling it the most. You’ve probably noticed the "Help Wanted" signs sticking around longer than usual. That’s the direct result of the numbers we’re talking about here.
Misconceptions vs. Reality
- Misconception: We are deporting a million people a year.
- Reality: While the goal is a million, the actual number of formal removals is hovering closer to 600,000–700,000 due to legal challenges and the sheer cost of chartering flights.
- Misconception: Only criminals are being picked up.
- Reality: ICE arrests of people with no criminal history have spiked by over 2,000% since early 2025.
What happens next?
If you or someone you know is navigating this system, the landscape in 2026 is arguably the most complex it has ever been. The administration is pushing for even more detention beds—leaked plans suggested a goal of 108,000 by this month.
Staying informed is the only real leverage you have.
Next Steps for Staying Safe and Informed:
- Verify your status: If you have an old "Notice to Appear" (NTA) or a pending asylum claim, check the EOIR automated case portal weekly.
- Know your rights: Regardless of the political climate, the Fourth Amendment still applies. You do not have to open your door to ICE unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge (not just an administrative warrant signed by an ICE official).
- Document everything: Keep physical copies of all immigration paperwork in a safe, accessible place away from your home if possible.
- Consult a reputable attorney: Avoid "notarios" or anyone promising a "guaranteed" result for a high fee. Use the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) directory to find certified help.
The data on how many people have been deported this year will continue to fluctuate as new monthly reports come out, but the trend is clear: the net is wider, the detention centers are fuller, and the "voluntary" exits are being tracked more closely than ever.