President Donald Trump’s second term has brought a major shift in U.S. immigration enforcement. When he returned to office, he promised the largest mass deportation in American history, targeting over 10 million unauthorized migrants living in the country. Since then, new data reveals that border crossings have dropped sharply, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have doubled, and the number of people in detention has reached a record high.
NBC News has been tracking immigration enforcement using both public and internal ICE data, as well as figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Their findings are updated regularly to reflect the latest information. One key observation is that, despite promises of sweeping deportations, the government has not consistently shared deportation figures with the public. However, NBC News obtained internal ICE records that give a clearer picture.
Officials from the Trump administration claim they are focusing on arresting and deporting individuals with serious criminal records. But progress in removing the so-called “worst of the worst” has been slower than promised. For example, ICE informed Congress last year that it had identified 435,000 unauthorized immigrants with criminal convictions who were not in custody. Among them were 13,099 people convicted of murder and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault.
By the end of May 2025, ICE had arrested 752 non-citizens convicted of murder and 1,693 convicted of sexual assault. While these numbers show some enforcement progress, they also highlight the large gap between identified offenders and actual arrests. This gap raises questions about the pace and capacity of immigration enforcement under Trump’s leadership.
Meanwhile, CBP data shows a significant drop in unauthorized crossings at the southern border, suggesting that tougher border policies may be deterring attempts to enter the U.S. illegally. This sharp decline in crossings marks one of the administration’s most notable achievements in immigration control during its second term.
Why are deportations and arrests so high? The main reason is that the administration has increased resources for both ICE and CBP, including more agents, stricter detention policies, and expanded cooperation with local law enforcement. These measures have contributed to a system where more migrants are being detained for longer periods while awaiting deportation.
The overall picture is clear: immigration enforcement under Trump’s second term is stronger than in recent years, with a focus on criminal offenders and tighter border control. However, with hundreds of thousands of convicted criminals still at large, the administration faces ongoing challenges in meeting its ambitious deportation targets.
For migrants already in the U.S., these developments show the importance of staying informed about their rights, legal options, and potential policy changes. Seeking legal advice early can be crucial in navigating the increasingly complex and strict immigration environment.