Trump Administration Surpasses 100,000 Deportations as ICE Expands Efforts Under New Border Policy

Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, his administration has made substantial progress in fulfilling one of its most contentious campaign promises—aggressively pursuing the removal of undocumented immigrants. According to reports, deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have surpassed 100,000, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration enforcement policies.

The Surge in Deportations

As of the latest figures, ICE has arrested 113,000 individuals and carried out over 100,000 deportations since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. These efforts align with the president’s long-standing commitment to securing the U.S. border and curbing illegal immigration, a central theme during his presidential campaign and tenure. ICE sources have emphasized that the administration is adhering to its mission of eliminating unlawful immigrants, including those allegedly involved in gang activities or deemed national security threats.

An unnamed Department of Homeland Security source shared with the New York Post that the efforts align with Trump’s promises, stating, “He’s doing what he was voted in to do. Point blank!” However, as of now, it remains unclear how many of the detainees are convicted criminals or the specific countries from which they originated. Sources suggest that the majority are being deported to Mexico.

A Tougher Stance on Illegal Immigration

Trump’s re-election campaign placed a heavy emphasis on reducing illegal immigration, with several policy actions aimed at curbing border crossings and illegal entries. On his first day back in office, President Trump declared a border emergency, moving swiftly to deploy additional military personnel to the southern border. He also took immediate action to halt the asylum process for individuals illegally crossing the border, while spearheading a nationwide deportation campaign.

One of the key changes made was to significantly boost the capacity of ICE’s detention system. According to The Post, ICE has already “maxed out” its detention capacity, and as a result, the agency has requested additional funding from Congress to accommodate a growing number of arrests. In the first 50 days alone, ICE apprehended over 32,000 individuals, prompting officials to call for an expansion of detention facilities to handle the surge.

In March 2025, U.S. border agents encountered just under 7,000 illegal crossings—a staggering 94% decrease compared to the 137,000 illegal crossings in the same month the previous year, under President Joe Biden. This follows February’s total of around 8,300 illegal crossings, marking the lowest monthly figures in at least 25 years. According to DHS sources, the reduction is due to a combination of heightened enforcement measures and public awareness that “there are consequences now.”

Migrants are reportedly “scared” of the repercussions they face when caught, with one DHS source noting that “everyone who is caught is charged and does time.” The most significant numbers of illegal crossings continue to occur in the San Diego and El Paso sectors of the border, though the broader trend indicates a sharp drop in illegal migration. If these patterns persist, it is possible that the U.S. could see illegal migration return to levels not seen since 1968.

On Sunday night, 17 suspected gang members from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs were transferred to El Salvador in shackles. The use of the Alien Enemies Act, which allows for the deportation of individuals considered threats to national security, has drawn criticism from some quarters, including a federal judge who blocked its application earlier this month.

Border Crossings Plummet Under Trump’s Policies

In addition to the deportation efforts, illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have dramatically decreased. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), illegal crossings have dropped to levels not seen in decades, with a remarkable decline in March. DHS sources attribute this decline to what has been dubbed “the Trump effect,” referring to the administration’s aggressive stance on border enforcement and the perception that there are now real consequences for attempting to cross the border illegally.

Trump’s administration has also focused on addressing transnational criminal groups and gangs, utilizing controversial methods to combat illegal immigration and organized crime. In a bold move, the president invoked the rarely used 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport members of violent gangs, including suspected Venezuelan gang members, directly to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador. These deportations occurred without trial, marking a significant departure from typical legal processes.