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Newly obtained data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that fewer immigrants were deported in February 2025 than in the same month a year prior under the Biden administration, despite President Donald Trump’s pledge to ramp up deportations.
According to the data, ICE deported around 11,000 migrants in February, compared to just over 12,000 in February 2024 under Biden. The drop in removals comes despite a sharp rise in arrests and detentions under Trump’s stricter immigration policies.
ICE Arrests Surge as Deportations Lag
While total deportations declined, ICE arrests more than doubled. Nearly 4,300 migrants who were arrested by ICE were deported last month, compared to 2,100 in February 2024. However, half of those deported had no criminal records or pending charges, raising concerns about the administration’s enforcement priorities.
The decline in deportations could stem from legal and logistical hurdles. Former ICE chief of staff Jason Houser explained that deportations require extensive coordination.
“Arresting someone is just the first step,” Houser said. “Deportation cases go through legal proceedings, diplomatic approvals, and transport logistics. It takes time.”
Border Crossings Plummet Under Trump Policies
One area where Trump’s policies have had a significant impact is at the border. Encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border have reached a 25-year low.
The sharp drop follows Trump’s decision to end the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to book asylum appointments at legal entry points. The new policy blocks migrants from applying for asylum even at official ports of entry, sparking legal challenges from immigration advocates.
Trump Administration Pushes for More Deportation Resources
Despite lower deportation numbers, the Trump administration is detaining more immigrants than under Biden. By the end of February, ICE was holding nearly 44,000 migrants, a 10% increase from the last months of Biden’s presidency.
To accelerate deportations, Trump is pressuring Congress for more funding to expand ICE operations. His administration is also considering using federal prisons and military bases to hold undocumented immigrants.
Trump Stands by His Immigration Crackdown
Despite the lower deportation figures, Trump maintains that his policies are strengthening national security.
“We will remove millions of criminal aliens from our country,” Trump said in a statement. “The process is underway, and we are fixing the disaster left by Biden.”
While arrests and detentions are up, mass deportations remain a challenge. Whether Trump can fulfill his promise of large-scale removals will depend on legal battles, diplomatic agreements, and funding from Congress in the months ahead.
