Fact check: How many legal us residents are being detained or deported in 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available data, over 56,000 people are currently in ICE detention as of June-July 2025, representing a 40% increase from June 2024 ^{[1] [2]}. However, there are significant data reliability concerns, as TRAC has concluded that ICE's reported numbers of 56,816 individuals in detention as of July 13, 2025, are incorrect and has not included them in their official tracking systems ^[2].

Regarding deportations, ICE is on track to record nearly 150,000 deportations in the first six months of 2025, which would make it the highest number since the Obama administration, though still far short of stated targets ^[3]. The detention system has experienced severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions, with reports of unsanitary facilities and inadequate access to basic services in Florida detention centers ^[4].

Critical data gap: None of the sources provide specific numbers distinguishing between legal US residents and undocumented immigrants in detention or deportation statistics.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes that legal US residents are being detained and deported in significant numbers, but the analyses do not provide data specifically breaking down legal versus undocumented status of those detained or deported. This represents a crucial missing piece of context.

Several important policy developments provide additional context:

• Temporary Protected Status has been terminated for several countries, potentially affecting legal residents who previously had protected status ^[5]
• Congress approved unprecedented funding for mass deportation operations, with budget allocations that could support the daily detention of at least 116,000 non-citizens ^[6]
• Afghan immigrants who worked with the US government face particular challenges under recent policy changes, affecting their legal status and family reunification prospects ^[7]

ICE has increased its use of alternatives to detention, including facial recognition technology and GPS monitoring, suggesting a broader enforcement approach beyond traditional detention ^[8]. The agency has also increased detention of individuals with no criminal history ^[4], indicating a shift in enforcement priorities.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that legal US residents are being detained or deported in measurable numbers in 2025. However, the available data does not support making specific claims about legal residents versus other categories of immigrants.

The question may reflect confusion about immigration status categories, as legal US residents (permanent residents) have strong protections against deportation except in cases involving serious criminal convictions or immigration fraud. The high detention and deportation numbers reported in the sources ^{[1] [3]} likely refer primarily to undocumented immigrants and those with expired or terminated temporary status.

Data reliability issues further complicate any definitive answer, as TRAC's rejection of ICE's official detention numbers ^[2] suggests that even basic statistics about immigration enforcement may be unreliable or manipulated for political purposes.

The framing of the question may inadvertently amplify fears about immigration enforcement affecting legal residents, when the available evidence suggests enforcement actions primarily target undocumented individuals and those whose legal status has been terminated or expired.