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Fact check: How many illegal aliens has trump removed in 2025
1. Summary of the results
Based on the available data, ICE has deported nearly 200,000 people since Trump returned to office, with the administration recording nearly 350,000 deportations in total when including repatriations by US Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and self-deportations [1]. More specifically, during the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, ICE removed 65,682 aliens, including criminals who threaten public safety and national security [2].
Additionally, approximately 1.6 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. in the first 200 days of Secretary Kristi Noem's tenure under the Trump administration, though this figure includes various forms of departures beyond formal removals [3]. The enforcement efforts have resulted in ICE arrests doubling and detention numbers reaching an all-time high [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important context about the economic impacts of these enforcement operations. Trump's immigration actions are taking a toll on local economies, with data showing drops in workforce participation and student attendance in affected communities [5]. This suggests that while the administration focuses on removal numbers, there are broader societal consequences not captured in deportation statistics alone.
The data also reveals significant decreases in border apprehensions, with reports of the lowest nationwide encounters and lowest single-day apprehensions in history [6]. This context is crucial because it suggests that enforcement may be having a deterrent effect beyond just physical removals.
Political stakeholders who benefit from emphasizing high removal numbers include Trump administration officials and immigration enforcement agencies seeking to demonstrate effectiveness. Conversely, immigrant advocacy groups and local business communities would benefit from highlighting the economic disruptions and humanitarian concerns associated with mass deportation efforts.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question uses the term "illegal aliens," which is politically charged language that reflects a particular ideological perspective. This terminology choice suggests potential bias toward viewing immigration enforcement favorably.
More significantly, the question implies that comprehensive, regularly updated deportation data is readily available, when in fact the number of people deported by ICE has not been regularly released to the public [4]. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to provide precise, real-time answers to such questions.
The framing also focuses exclusively on removal numbers without acknowledging the broader policy context, including executive orders for immigration enforcement and the administration's focus on "faithfully executing immigration laws and removing inadmissible and removable aliens" [7]. This narrow focus on numbers alone may obscure the complexity of immigration enforcement policy and its multifaceted impacts on American communities.