U.S. immigration authorities removed over 270,000 individuals in the last financial year, according to figures released Thursday, December 19. This record-high number, surpassing any annual tally in the last decade, comes weeks before former President Donald Trump assumes office, having promised to deport millions of migrants.
The report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that most deportations involved individuals who had crossed the southern border illegally. Approximately one-third of those removed had prior criminal convictions or were facing charges.
The 12-month period, ending in September, coincided with a heated presidential campaign in which Trump focused heavily on migration as a central issue. He pledged to initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history upon taking office on January 20, a promise that resonated with his supporters. Trump’s campaign rhetoric often highlighted unsubstantiated claims about migrants committing more crimes than U.S. citizens.
ICE Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner praised the agency’s workforce for its efforts, stating, “Every year, our workforce faces tremendous challenges — but every year, they meet those challenges head-on.”
Illegal border crossings surged after President Joe Biden took office but declined significantly over the last year following tightened asylum rules implemented by his administration. Estimates suggest that 11 to 15 million individuals reside in the United States without legal authorization, though Trump and his supporters claim the figure is much higher.
Many undocumented migrants contribute to the economy by working and paying taxes, often taking on jobs deemed difficult or undesirable by citizens. Critics of Trump’s proposed crackdown argue that deporting migrants on the scale he envisions could harm the economy by creating labor shortages in sectors such as housing, agriculture, and social care.
Economists have warned that such labor shortages could drive up prices, potentially undermining Trump’s pledge to reduce inflation — a key promise of his campaign.
