The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported on Wednesday that more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants have left the country since President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, 2025. The figure includes over 605,000 formal deportations and roughly 1.9 million “self-departures,” or voluntary exits amid intensified enforcement efforts.
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DHS said its removals have focused on individuals classified as criminal offenders, while voluntary departures were encouraged through a government mobile app offering free flights and $1,000 incentives. The administration presented the numbers as evidence of restored “law and order,” highlighting a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement.
Experts, however, noted that combining formal deportations with voluntary exits inflates perceptions of enforcement success. Immigration courts continue to face massive case backlogs, and detention facilities operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are holding record numbers of migrants, raising concerns about due process and capacity.
As 2026 draws to a close the Trump administration is highlighting what it calls major gains in cracking down on illegal immigration. President Donald Trump says more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants have left the United States since he took office including over 600,000… pic.twitter.com/4zxGeg2typ
— Ocean News (@OceanNewsUK) December 16, 2025
The announcement coincides with a major expansion of US travel restrictions. On December 16, the White House added seven countries — including Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Palestinian Authority document holders — to its list of nations facing full or near-total entry bans. With these additions, 20 countries now face broad US travel restrictions, many of them conflict-affected or Muslim-majority states.
Human rights groups have criticised the bans, saying they punish entire populations and undermine international norms. Officials argue that weak identity verification and limited information-sharing justify the measures. Recent terrorist attacks, including the shooting of two US National Guard members by an Afghan national, have been cited as justification for stricter immigration controls.
While Pakistan is not included in the current travel ban, Pakistani nationals face increased scrutiny in visa renewals, airport inspections, and status changes. Experts warn that sudden return migration may lead to underemployment, while reduced migrant labour is already affecting sectors such as agriculture and construction.
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The DHS announcement reflects a significant shift in US immigration policy, prioritising enforcement and security concerns over broader humanitarian or economic considerations.