The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that more than 527,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported from the country since President Donald Trump’s return to office, in what the agency described as “record-breaking statistics.”
According to the official statement, immigration authorities expect to reach nearly 600,000 deportations before the first year of the new presidential term concludes. Additionally, DHS noted that “more than 2 million undocumented immigrants have left the United States,” a figure that includes “1.6 million who have self-deported voluntarily.”
DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that these results reflect the “revitalization” of the immigration system under Trump’s leadership and that of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
“This is just the beginning,” McLaughlin declared in the statement. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have revitalized an agency that was paralyzed and prevented from doing its job over the past four years.”
The official added that, despite what she described as judicial and political obstacles, DHS, along with its agencies ICE and CBP, “have not only secured the border but also made historic progress in fulfilling President Trump’s promise to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants who have invaded our country.”
McLaughlin also claimed that the administration’s message has had a direct impact on migration flows:
“Undocumented immigrants are hearing our message: leave now or face the consequences. Migrants are turning back even before reaching our borders,” she stated.
The Darién Gap and ICE Arrests
According to figures released by DHS, migration through the Darién Gap in Panama has decreased by 99.99%, which the agency attributes to new measures implemented by the Trump administration.
In its statement, the department emphasized that 70% of ICE arrests involve individuals accused or convicted of crimes in the United States, including “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and drug traffickers.”
According to DHS, “protesters and sanctuary politicians have not deterred” agencies from continuing their mission to “protect the homeland from those who have no right to be in the United States.”
The statement also mentions a new voluntary departure option through the CBP Home app, which would allow undocumented immigrants to request self-deportation.
“The United States is offering undocumented immigrants $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport,” DHS stated.
The agency added that those who choose this program “will be able to reserve the opportunity to return to the United States the right and legal way to live the American dream.” In contrast, those who do not will “be arrested and deported with no chance of returning,” the statement warned.
Image: DiarioNY
