More than 2.5 million undocumented immigrants have left the United States in one year, the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.

In a statement published its website, the DHS said since January 20, 2025, enforcement operations have resulted in more than 605,000 deportations, with a priority placed on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to return law and order to the US.

“Additionally, thanks to the comprehensive efforts of DHS law enforcement, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported since January 2025,” the statement reads in part.

The announcement comes nearly a year after Trump’s inauguration and builds on incremental updates from DHS throughout 2025.

Key initiatives include a $200 million advertising campaign launched in spring 2025, dubbed Project Homecoming, which offers undocumented immigrants a free flight home and up to $1,000 in cash incentives via the CBP Home app.

DHS officials estimate that only about 35,000 individuals, roughly one in 50 self-deportees, have used the app, with most departures occurring quietly without financial aid.

The programme also waives unpaid fines for timely departures and has been promoted alongside warnings of stricter enforcement.

In September, the agency reported 2 million departures in under 250 days, including 1.6 million self-deportations and over 400,000 removals.

By October, deportations alone had surpassed 527,000, pushing the total past 2 million.

The latest data reflects a continued acceleration, with DHS crediting policies led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “The Trump Administration is shattering historic records with more than 2.5 million illegal aliens leaving the U.S. DHS has deported more than 605,000 illegal aliens and another 1.9 million have self-deported.

“Since January 20, DHS has arrested more than 595,000 illegal aliens.

“Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now. They know if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”

The statement noted that President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out targeted operations to remove criminal illegal aliens, while hailing the president for delivering “the most secure border in history”.

The department said rapid decline in the illegal immigrant population is already being felt nationwide, from reduced strain on public services to a resurgence in local job markets. (The Sun)

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