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ICE reports record arrests and deportations for fiscal 2026

ICE reports record arrests and deportations for fiscal 2026

Force in Play

Agency says it removed 483,200 people and made 491,000 arrests, the highest totals in its 23-year history.

Yesterday: DHS announces record ICE totals

Overview

Updated 57 minutes ago

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed 483,200 people in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2026, the highest annual total in the agency's 23-year history. The agency also made 491,000 immigration arrests, nearly 475,000 of them administrative arrests that did not require a criminal charge.

The totals are almost equal to the combined deportations of the three full Biden fiscal years and more than eight times fiscal 2021. They also include a growing share of voluntary departures, which let people leave without a removal order. Democrats won the midterm elections after campaigning against the enforcement push.

Why it matters

The totals show how far immigration enforcement has scaled under Trump, and how much depends on voluntary departures and administrative arrests.

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Key Indicators

483,200
Deportations in fiscal 2026
The highest annual total in ICE's history, up 9% from fiscal 2025.
491,000
Immigration arrests in fiscal 2026
Nearly 475,000 were administrative arrests that did not require a criminal charge.
9%
Increase over fiscal 2025 deportations
ICE removed 442,640 people in fiscal 2025, then a record.
37%
Voluntary departures share in July and August 2026
Up from less than 5% in the first three months of Trump's term, according to Reason.

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People Involved

Donald Trump
Donald Trump
President of the United States
In office
 Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin
Secretary of Homeland Security
In office

Organizations Involved

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Federal law enforcement agency
Carried out record arrests and deportations in fiscal 2026

The federal agency that carries out immigration arrests and removals inside the United States.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Federal agency
Oversees ICE and announced the record totals

The cabinet department that oversees ICE and border enforcement.

Timeline

January 2025 November 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. DHS announces record ICE totals

    Latest Announcement

    DHS says ICE set records for arrests and deportations in fiscal 2026.

  2. Fiscal 2026 ends

    Data

    The 12-month period closes with 483,200 deportations and 491,000 arrests.

  3. August arrests set monthly record

    Data

    ICE reports nearly 51,000 arrests in August, breaking July's record.

  4. Fiscal 2025 sets deportation record

    Data

    ICE ends fiscal 2025 with 442,640 deportations, then the highest annual total.

  5. Trump returns to office

    Policy

    Trump begins his second term promising mass deportations.

Scenarios

1

ICE deportations exceed 500,000 in fiscal 2027

Possible Resolves by Oct 31, 2027

Discussed by: Politico, which reported the arrest pace accelerated over the summer

If ICE sustains the summer pace and voluntary departures stay high, fiscal 2027 deportations could pass 500,000. The agency has not published a target.

2

Congress holds hearing on ICE hiring standards

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: The Washington Post, which reported a review found 19 recent hires with past misconduct allegations

The Post's review of a small fraction of 12,000 recent DHS hires found red flags, including officers fired or decertified elsewhere. Lawmakers could call DHS officials to testify.

3

Democratic Congress cuts ICE enforcement funding

Unlikely Resolves by Q3 2027

Discussed by: AP, which reported Democrats won the midterms after campaigning against the enforcement push

A Democratic Congress seated in January 2027 could use appropriations to restrict ICE. Passing a cut would require overcoming a presidential veto.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

Fiscal 2009

Obama-era deportation peak (2009)

ICE deported 489,251 people in fiscal 2009, according to TRAC data cited by Reason. That was the highest annual total before fiscal 2026.

Then

The Obama administration faced criticism from immigrant advocates over the pace of removals.

Now

The 2009 total became a benchmark for later administrations.

Why this matters now

Fiscal 2026's 483,200 deportations are slightly below the 2009 peak, showing the record is relative to recent years.

Fiscal 2021

Biden-era enforcement low (2021)

ICE deported just over 59,000 people in fiscal 2021 and made just over 74,000 arrests, the lowest totals in recent years.

Then

The Biden administration narrowed enforcement priorities.

Now

The low baseline became the comparison point for Trump's record totals.

Why this matters now

Fiscal 2026 deportations are more than eight times the 2021 figure.

Fiscal 2025

Fiscal 2025 record (2025)

ICE deported 442,640 people in fiscal 2025, setting a record as Trump's first-year enforcement ramped up.

Then

DHS touted the total as proof its enforcement strategy was working.

Now

Fiscal 2026 surpassed it by 9%.

Why this matters now

The scale-up spans two fiscal years, not one.

Sources

(9)
+3
ICE AP News The Washington Post POLITICO CBS8 Reason Fox News HuffPost Business Standard