U.S. immigration officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement recorded its highest annual totals for arrests and deportations in fiscal 2026. The Department of Homeland Security reported more than 491,000 arrests and 483,200 deportations during the year. Officials said arrests exceeded the combined total from fiscal years 2022 through 2024 by nearly 65,000, while deportations came within 3,000 of that combined figure. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited President Trump’s policies and said the agency had been “unleashed.”
The figures reflect a sharp increase from the previous administration’s reported totals and include record monthly activity in August and September. DHS also said more than 3 million migrants had left the United States under the Trump administration, with figures through October showing nearly 1.2 million deportations and more than 1.25 million arrests.
| 1) | Record annual ICE totals |
| 2) | Comparison with previous administration figures |
| 3) | Monthly enforcement records |
| 4) | Administration credits policy direction |
| 5) | Broader migration figures through October |
Record annual ICE totals
DHS said ICE made more than 491,000 arrests during fiscal 2026, including nearly 475,000 administrative arrests. The department described both the overall arrest total and the administrative arrest figure as records in the agency’s history.
ICE also reported 483,200 deportations during the fiscal year. That number exceeded the agency’s previous record of 442,640, which was set the year before. The totals cover enforcement activity conducted across the United States during fiscal 2026.
Comparison with previous administration figures
According to DHS, fiscal 2026 arrests exceeded the combined totals from fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024 by nearly 65,000. Deportations nearly matched the combined total for those three full fiscal years, falling short by fewer than 3,000.
The department also said fiscal 2026 arrests were more than six times higher than the figure recorded during Joe Biden’s first fiscal year in office. Deportations were more than eight times higher than the comparable figure, according to DHS.
Monthly enforcement records
August 2026 produced the highest monthly arrest total in ICE history, with 50,925 arrests, Mullin said. The record formed part of the broader annual increase reported by the department.
September also recorded more than 48,000 arrests. DHS said that total represented an increase of more than 300% over the average September arrest figure during the previous administration. The department attributed the pace to expanded enforcement under the current administration.
Administration credits policy direction
Mullin credited President Trump’s leadership for the enforcement totals and praised ICE personnel for carrying out arrests and deportations. He said the agency had been given greater freedom to target and remove people the administration identifies as being in the country unlawfully.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the brave men and women of ICE, who just broke more historic records,” Mullin said.
The comments came as the administration continued to emphasize immigration enforcement as a central policy priority. Mullin separately said there would be “zero change” to immigration policy after the midterm results.
Broader migration figures through October
DHS said more than 3 million migrants had left the United States under Trump’s leadership. The department’s figures through October showed nearly 1.2 million deportations and more than 1.25 million arrests.
Those figures cover a broader period than the fiscal-year totals and were presented by DHS as evidence of the administration’s wider immigration enforcement campaign. The department did not provide additional details in the announcement about how the broader totals were calculated.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | ICE reported more than 491,000 arrests in fiscal 2026. |
| 2 | The agency reported 483,200 deportations, above its prior record. |
| 3 | August set a monthly arrest record with 50,925 arrests. |
| 4 | DHS attributed the results to the administration’s enforcement policy. |
Summary
DHS reported unprecedented annual ICE arrest and deportation totals for fiscal 2026, along with record monthly arrests in August and continued high activity in September. The department presented the figures as evidence of an intensified immigration enforcement strategy under Trump, while Mullin praised ICE personnel and pledged no change in policy following the midterm results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many arrests did ICE report in fiscal 2026?
DHS said ICE made more than 491,000 arrests, including nearly 475,000 administrative arrests.
How many deportations were recorded?
ICE reported 483,200 deportations during fiscal 2026, exceeding its previous record of 442,640.
Which month set the arrest record?
August 2026 set the agency’s monthly arrest record with 50,925 arrests.
