Politics
ICE Records Highest Deportations and Arrests in 2026, Democrats Prepare Response
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out 483,200 deportations and more than 491,000 immigration arrests in fiscal year 2026, surpassing the previous record of 442,640 deportations set in 2025. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the year saw the highest number of ICE deportations and arrests in the agency’s 23‑year history, and that September 2026 was the best September for arrests, with over 48,000 arrests that month after a two‑month streak of record highs. ICE noted that the 50,925 arrests in August also set a record.
Washington, DC‑based Center for Immigration Studies director of research Steven Camarota told Al Jazeera that the data released by DHS is incomplete and that it is unclear what proportion of the arrests are interior enforcement versus removals from the interior, border, or airport. He added that increased removals can encourage people to leave the country.
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration’s immigration crackdown may have been “too tough.” In a recent interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said the policies might be too harsh for some but praised his record of removing “bad” individuals, while noting that some people with good jobs were also removed.
The crackdown has become a political vulnerability for Trump, with his approval rating on the issue falling to 38 percent from 50 percent at the start of his presidency, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.
Democrats are preparing to challenge the administration’s enforcement tactics. Mississippi Democrat Bennie Thompson, soon to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, said the House would investigate the administration’s use of DHS against Americans and its immigration policies. Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar said he has discussed focusing deportation efforts on criminals with Trump officials and that the approach would not be extreme.
Senator‑elect Peggy Flanagan, celebrating her win in Minnesota, said she would “rip ICE apart.” Her statement came amid controversy over federal immigration agents who shot dead two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis in January. The shootings were captured on bystander video and have sparked international outrage. Additional footage shows agents deploying chemical agents and assaulting civilians who were documenting or protesting the enforcement activities, actions that are protected under the U.S. Constitution.
Frequently asked questions
How many deportations and arrests did ICE carry out in FY 2026?
ICE carried out 483,200 deportations and more than 491,000 immigration arrests.
Which month in 2026 had the highest number of ICE arrests?
September 2026 had over 48,000 arrests, the best September for arrests, after a two‑month streak of record highs.
How did Democrats plan to respond to the 2026 ICE enforcement record?
Democrats are preparing to challenge the administration’s enforcement tactics; Bennie Thompson said the House would investigate DHS use against Americans and immigration policies; Henry Cuellar said he discussed focusing deportation efforts on criminals; Peggy Flanagan said she would “rip ICE apart.”