Politics · United States · 57 mins ago
ICE reports record 483,200 deportations in 2026
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported 483,200 people in 2026, the highest total in its 23-year history.
The Department of Homeland Security also said ICE made more than 491,000 immigration arrests during the year.
The figures cover the fiscal year ending September 30, and the deportation total was 78 percent higher than in Joe Biden’s final year as president.
The record came as Donald Trump’s administration tightened immigration enforcement, including by providing more resources for deportation officers, detention facilities and flights.
Officials released few details about the figures, leaving questions about who was deported and how many had criminal records; experts also said the data was unclear about removals from inside the country versus people turned back at borders or airports.
The total fell short of the White House goal of one million deportations a year, and the figures do not explain how many people were deported from each category.
Democrats plan to investigate ICE tactics and increase congressional oversight when they take control of Congress next year.
ICE deported 483,200 people in the 2026 fiscal year, a record in the agency’s 23-year history.
The Department of Homeland Security also reported more than 491,000 immigration arrests.
The deportation total was 78 percent higher than in the final year of Joe Biden’s presidency and nine percent above the previous record, set in 2025.
The figures were released with few details, and the administration’s goal of one million deportations a year was not met.
Democrats have said they plan to investigate the administration’s immigration policies and ICE tactics.
- Who
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the US Department of Homeland Security.
- What
- ICE deported 483,200 people in the 2026 fiscal year, a record for the agency. DHS also reported more than 491,000 immigration arrests.
- When
- The 2026 fiscal year, through September 30.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The administration has pursued a tougher immigration crackdown. It said enforcement targets people without valid immigration status.
Trump administration
Democrats
Enforcement policy
Trump administration
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement and said it is acting against people without valid status.
Democrats
Democrats have said they will investigate the administration’s immigration policies and ICE tactics.
ICE recorded 442,640 deportations, the agency’s previous record.
ICE made more than 48,000 arrests, according to the agency.
The 2026 fiscal year ended, with 483,200 deportations reported.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the record deportation and arrest totals.
- Deportations
- 483,200 in fiscal year 2026
- Immigration arrests
- More than 491,000 in fiscal year 2026
- Previous record
- 442,640 deportations in 2025
- Increase over Biden’s last year
- 78 percent
- White House target
- One million deportations per year
3 sources
What people are saying
Fiscal Year 2026 saw the highest number of ICE deportations and arrests for any year in ICE’s history. September 2026 was the best September in ICE’s history in terms of arrests.
A lot of people would say it is great but a lot of people would think it is too tough
Of course the data is always incomplete and it’s difficult to measure.
We will investigate the administration weaponising DHS against Americans (and) its out of control immigration policies