Washington, D.C. — In a surprising twist, new immigration data shows that President Donald Trump’s deportation numbers still trail behind the record-setting levels under former President Barack Obama—but a massive surge is coming.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), nearly 150,000 illegal immigrants have been deported so far this year, averaging more than 800 removals per day. If this pace continues, the Trump administration will exceed 300,000 deportations by year’s end—a dramatic increase, but still short of the 400,000+ deportations per year seen under Obama.
Trump’s Crackdown Gains Momentum
Despite the numbers, the White House insists President Trump is just getting started.
“President Trump is making good on his promise to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history,” said White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson. “With the new funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’re building up the infrastructure to remove criminal illegal aliens at an unprecedented pace.”
The president’s new immigration enforcement agenda—bolstered by the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)—is pumping billions into ICE and CBP, with plans to:
- Expand detention capacity to 100,000 beds
- Hire 10,000 new ICE agents
- Inject $14 billion into transport and deportation operations
- Equip agents with new technology to fast-track removals
Obama Still Leads in Total Removals—for Now
Obama’s Department of Homeland Security deported approximately 2.8 million people during his presidency. His first term saw record-breaking years, including 435,000 deportations in 2013.
In contrast, Trump’s renewed efforts—after years of left-wing resistance—are starting to ramp up in 2025. Experts say this could mark a major shift.
Can Trump Hit 1 Million Deportations?
Scott Mechkowski, a retired ICE agent, says Trump’s goal of 1 million deportations annually is “theoretically possible” but logistically tough.
“A more realistic target for this year is between 500,000 and 600,000. But with full staffing and the OBBB funding in place, 1 million removals is possible over the next two years—if activist judges and Democrat lawsuits don’t block the mission again.”
Left-Wing Critics Already Sounding the Alarm
Not everyone is on board. John Sandweg, a former Obama-era ICE director, claimed the administration is “moving too fast” and warned that “prioritizing numbers over threats” could be a mistake.
But for many Americans—especially older voters concerned about crime, border security, and rising costs—Trump’s approach is long overdue.
“We’re finally seeing leadership,” said Jackson. “The era of excuses is over. We are taking back control of our borders.”
Bottom Line
The Trump administration is gearing up for a historic crackdown on illegal immigration, powered by record funding, public support, and a renewed sense of urgency.
While Obama may still hold the numbers for now, Trump’s America First agenda is just hitting its stride—and the left is panicking.