In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to carrying out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history if he is re-elected. This promise has sparked concerns within immigrant communities, who fear the impact of such a massive crackdown.
During a rally in New Hampshire, Trump expressed his belief that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” citing concerns about mental institutions and prisons being affected by their presence. He emphasized that immigrants from all over the world, not just South America, are entering the country and called for stricter measures to address this issue.
If Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans are implemented, it could strain government finances significantly. Reports indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is already facing a $230 million budget shortfall, even before factoring in the costs of mass deportations. This shortfall is attributed to historic underfunding and a rise in migrants deemed ineligible for asylum, a trend that has escalated since the Biden administration’s changes to asylum policy.
Since Trump’s return to power, ICE has ramped up its efforts to detain and deport immigrants accused of overstaying their visas or engaging in criminal activities. In his first week back in office, nationwide ICE raids led to 956 arrests, with the number increasing to 1,300 arrests shortly after. This surge in arrests represents a significant uptick from the daily average of 310 arrests in FY 2024, underlining the administration’s commitment to cracking down on immigration violations.
The ICE removal data for FY 2024 reveals that several African countries have seen a high number of deportations from the United States. Senegal topped the list with 410 removals, followed by Mauritania with 353, and Nigeria with 138. Other countries in the top ten included Angola, DR Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Somalia, Morocco, and Kenya.
In the same year, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made 113,431 administrative arrests, with Homeland Security Investigations conducting 32,608 criminal arrests. The agency removed 271,484 noncitizens with final orders of removal, including individuals with criminal convictions, gang members, suspected terrorists, and human rights violators. These efforts were focused on enhancing national security and public safety through rigorous enforcement measures.
Looking ahead, ICE is expected to continue its enforcement activities in 2025, with the data for the year anticipated to surpass previous records. The agency remains committed to upholding immigration laws and ensuring the safety and security of the United States.
