ICE removals and arrests reached historic levels in fiscal year 2026, DHS data shows

Federal immigration authorities removed more than 483,200 individuals during fiscal year 2026, marking the highest annual deportation figure in the history of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to newly disclosed Department of Homeland Security statistics obtained by CBS News.

The enforcement surge also included over 491,000 arrests by ICE during the twelve-month period ending September 30. That figure encompasses nearly 475,000 administrative arrests, which involve civil immigration infractions rather than criminal offenses. The annual removals topped the agency's earlier high of 442,640 set in fiscal year 2025 and surpassed the previous benchmark of 409,849 recorded in 2012 under the Obama administration by roughly 18%. Removals jumped almost 78% compared to the 271,484 recorded during the final full fiscal year of the Biden administration.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the milestone, asserting in an accompanying statement that the agency had achieved historic peaks in both deportations and arrests. He noted that total apprehensions for the fiscal year exceeded the combined sums of three full years under the preceding administration, crediting President Donald Trump for enabling agents to prioritize national safety.

Despite the administration's stated focus on individuals facing severe criminal charges, research suggests the vast majority of those taken into custody did not have criminal records. An analysis of agency data published by CBS News showed that in July 2026, more than half of all ICE arrests involved immigrants with no criminal convictions or pending charges. Additionally, only about 6% of detainees booked into facilities during the second Trump term were convicted of violent crimes. Data gathered by the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute indicated that roughly 20% of the approximately 980,000 removals carried out jointly by ICE and Customs and Border Protection from January 2025 to July 2026 involved individuals with criminal convictions.

Questions have also emerged regarding how the government categorizes its deportation statistics. A report from Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse revealed that formal removal orders accounted for only 63% of removals logged in July and August 2026, with the remainder classified as voluntary returns or departures. Governmentwide figures during certain periods in the early 2000s still exceeded the latest tally when incorporating actions by border personnel alongside ICE operations.

The historic numbers arrive amid political pressure following midterm election setbacks for Republicans. National exit polling conducted by CBS News found that 58% of voters believed the administration's enforcement measures had gone too far, compared to 22% who viewed them as appropriate and 20% who favored stricter efforts.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Trump conceded that the crackdown was politically damaging, remarking, "I think it was too tough." He acknowledged backlash over the removal of longtime residents working in hospitality or landscaping who paid taxes, while voicing an openness to negotiate immigration legislation with congressional Democrats.

Even so, officials indicated that the aggressive pace is unlikely to diminish. With Stephen Miller installed as White House chief of staff, internal agency planning had set a weekly goal of approximately 19,000 arrests heading into the autumn months.