UMVA has learned that a staggering 3 million illegal immigrants have left the United States during President Donald Trump's first year back in office, marking a significant shift in migration patterns.
This dramatic exodus includes an estimated 2.2 million "self-deportations," where migrants voluntarily left the country, often with travel assistance and financial support through programs like the CBP Home app.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that the administration has also deported nearly 900,000 illegal immigrants and arrested more than 900,000 others as of May 17, touting these numbers as evidence of Trump's immigration crackdown.
The administration has increasingly promoted self-deportation as a cost-effective alternative to traditional deportation proceedings, with DHS saying the program costs significantly less and is designed to encourage migrants to leave voluntarily.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the figures come as the administration touts dramatic declines in illegal crossings, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a 94% drop in apprehensions at the southwestern border in April compared to the monthly average.
Homeland Security officials describe this as the end of "catch-and-release" policies at the southern border, with Secretary Markwayne Mullin saying "the days of catch and release are over," and arguing that the administration's enforcement policies are deterring migrants from attempting to enter the country illegally.
The administration points to increased ICE operations, tighter asylum restrictions, and expanded interior enforcement as factors contributing to a broader deterrence effect, though some immigration analysts dispute how DHS characterizes some of the figures tied to migrant releases and removals.
