ICE Arrests and Deportations Reach Record Highs Amid Political Backlash

ICE reported 483,200 deportations in fiscal year 2026 the highest annual total in the agency’s reported history as President Donald Trump faces growing scrutiny over his immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security, surpassed the previous record of 442,640 in fiscal year 2025.

Key details

• Record arrests: ICE reported more than 491,000 arrests during the fiscal year ending September 30, including nearly 475,000 administrative arrests. These involve alleged civil immigration violations, rather than criminal charges.
• Enforcement accelerated: Deportations rose about 9% from the previous fiscal year and nearly 78% from fiscal year 2024. Monthly arrests reached 50,925 in August, followed by more than 48,000 in September.
• Voter backlash: Midterm exit polling found that 58% of voters believed the administration’s immigration enforcement had gone too far; 22% said it was about right, and 20% said it had not gone far enough.
• Trump acknowledges the political cost: Following Republican midterm losses, Trump told 60 Minutes that the crackdown had been “too tough” and had hurt him politically, while defending his administration’s border enforcement.