---
title: "Record Deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Reach New High"
url: https://newscentral.site/record-deportations-by-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-reach-new/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Politics"
published: 2026-11-12T11:00:06.000Z
updated: 2026-11-12T18:40:37.992Z
id: 5061e038-9577-49c4-b2bb-4d22550f9fa6
source: "CBS News Politics https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-deportations-arrests-hit-record-high/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/record-deportations-by-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-reach-new/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Record Deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Reach New High

A record number of people were deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in fiscal year 2026.

A record 483,200 people were deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in fiscal year 2026, according to newly released Department of Homeland Security figures. This staggering number marks a significant escalation in President Trump's immigration crackdown, which has sparked growing concern among voters.

The total deportation figure surpasses the previous annual record held by ICE, with 442,640 individuals deported in fiscal year 2025. The agency also reported an unprecedented number of immigration arrests during the same period, with over 491,000 individuals taken into custody. Notably, nearly 475,000 of these arrests were administrative, rather than resulting from criminal charges.

The records highlight a key aspect of President Trump's second presidency: his administration's aggressive enforcement campaign, which has expanded federal law enforcement presence in communities far from the border. This shift in policy and operational strategy is reflected in the dramatic increase in immigration enforcement actions, including both deportations and arrests.

The increase in immigration enforcement actions is taking place against a backdrop of shifting public opinion on the issue. Republican losses in the midterm elections have prompted the president to reassess his deportation campaign, acknowledging that certain aspects may have gone too far.

However, this acknowledgment has been paired with a decision to promote Stephen Miller, the architect of many restrictive immigration policies, to White House chief of staff. This move underscores the tension between the administration's hardline stance on immigration and growing public unease over how laws are enforced in communities nationwide.

A key indicator of this shift is the significant increase in deportations, which now surpass a longstanding agency benchmark set during the Obama administration. According to DHS figures, the new deportation total is approximately 18% higher than the 409,849 removals ICE recorded in fiscal year 2012, marking a notable milestone in immigration enforcement efforts.

The record-breaking numbers are also reflected in the monthly arrest totals, with August seeing an unprecedented 50,925 arrests. This figure eclipses the previous high set in July, highlighting the escalating pace of immigration enforcement actions under current policy.

The latest data on immigration enforcement actions raises questions about how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counts deportations.

A recent analysis by Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse found that formal removals made up just 63% of deportations in July and August, with the remaining cases consisting of voluntary departures and returns based on federal immigration records.

This discrepancy highlights concerns about how DHS defines and tracks deportation numbers. It also underscores the importance of accurate data in understanding the impact of current policy on immigration enforcement actions.

The total number of ICE arrests in Fiscal Year 2026 surpassed that of all three full fiscal years under Biden, according to recent figures released by DHS.

Recent data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveals a significant spike in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations and arrests under the current administration.

The DHS has highlighted several cases that exemplify the serious public safety threats immigration officers often face. Raul Genesis Ortiz Moran, a Mexican national, was charged with second-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault following the death of a 2-year-old girl in Virginia. The Louisa County Sheriff's Office confirmed these charges independently.

In another instance, Soili Xiomara Aparicio-Santos, a Honduran national, was deported in April after being convicted of attempting to murder her newborn son in New York. According to DHS records, these cases demonstrate the potential risks posed by individuals with criminal histories.

ICE's focus on immigration law as justification for civil arrest and deportation is also evident in its handling of such cases. An analysis conducted earlier this year revealed that July 2026 saw a notable increase in ICE activity, marking a significant milestone in the current administration's approach to immigration enforcement.

A sharp increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests has been observed, particularly among individuals without any prior or pending criminal charges. This trend is reflected in data from an analysis that revealed a notable spike in ICE activity during July 2026.

Notably, more than half of those arrested by ICE had no record of convictions or pending charges, raising questions about the focus and effectiveness of immigration enforcement strategies. Meanwhile, another study has shed light on deportation numbers, showing that only a small fraction, around 20%, of approximately 980,000 removals carried out between January 2025 and July 2026 involved individuals with a criminal history.

Concern over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics is growing among the American public, as evidenced by national exit polling from the 2026 midterm elections. The majority of voters polled, 58%, expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's approach to enforcing immigration law in urban areas nationwide.

As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January, some are calling for increased oversight and scrutiny of ICE operations, including spending and enforcement methods.

A record-high number of deportations and arrests have been carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a sweeping tax and spending law signed in July 2025, which allocated around $170 billion for immigration enforcement and border security.

The additional funding provided to ICE amounts to roughly $75 billion, aimed at bolstering the agency's operations.

---
Source: [CBS News Politics](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-deportations-arrests-hit-record-high/)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/record-deportations-by-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-reach-new/
