President Donald Trump’s first year back in office has seen more than 3 million illegal immigrants leave the United States, including an estimated 2.2 million “self-deportations,” according to figures shared by the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS reported that the administration has also deported nearly 900,000 illegal immigrants and arrested more than 900,000 others as of May 17.
Officials frame the numbers as evidence that Trump’s immigration crackdown is reshaping migration patterns following record illegal crossings during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“In President Trump’s first year back in office, more than 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. because of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration including an estimated 2.2 million self-deportations,” a DHS spokesperson said.
The administration has increasingly promoted self-deportation through the CBP Home app, which allows migrants to voluntarily leave the country with travel assistance and financial support.
DHS noted that the program costs significantly less than traditional deportation proceedings and is designed to encourage migrants in the country illegally to leave voluntarily.
Declines in Illegal Crossings and End of Catch-and-Release
The reported figures come as the administration highlights dramatic declines in illegal crossings and what officials describe as the end of “catch-and-release” policies at the southern border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently reported that Border Patrol had gone a full year without releasing illegal immigrants directly into the U.S. interior after apprehension at the border.
CBP recorded 8,943 apprehensions at the southwestern border in April, representing a 94% drop from the Biden administration’s monthly average and 96% below the December 2023 peak.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, “The days of catch and release are over,” arguing that the administration’s enforcement policies are deterring migrants from attempting to enter the country illegally.
Officials attribute the decline in illegal crossings to a combination of increased ICE operations, tighter asylum restrictions, expanded interior enforcement, and the broader deterrence effect resulting from these measures.
Enforcement Measures and Migrant Deterrence
The administration has emphasized that the combination of self-deportation programs, strict enforcement at the border, and interior immigration operations has significantly reduced illegal migration.
The CBP Home app, in particular, allows migrants to leave voluntarily while providing assistance for travel and living expenses, presenting a less costly alternative to formal deportation proceedings.
These measures are presented as evidence of a shift in policy that prioritizes deterrence over catch-and-release, aiming to prevent migrants from entering the country illegally in the first place.
While immigration analysts generally agree that the administration’s tougher posture has reduced illegal crossings, some dispute the characterization of specific figures tied to migrant releases and removals.
Nonetheless, officials maintain that enforcement actions at the border and within the country are contributing to a noticeable decline in illegal immigration.
The Trump administration’s first year back in office shows significant changes in U.S. immigration patterns, with more than 3 million illegal immigrants leaving the country, including a record number of self-deportations.
The combination of stricter border enforcement, expanded interior operations, and voluntary departure programs has been credited with reducing illegal crossings and ending catch-and-release policies.
While some dispute certain statistics, the administration argues that these policies have effectively created a deterrent effect, reshaping the flow of migration and altering the landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement.
