Trump’s immigration enforcement has achieved what many thought impossible: over 2 million illegal immigrants have left the United States in less than 250 days, marking the end of America’s disastrous open borders policies.
Historic Immigration Enforcement Milestone
President Trump’s decisive action has delivered unprecedented results in restoring America’s immigration laws. The Department of Homeland Security announced September 23, 2025, that over 2 million illegal immigrants have left the United States since Trump’s inauguration on January 20. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that these numbers prove Trump’s policies and Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership are working to make American communities safer. The breakdown shows 1.6 million chose voluntary self-deportation while over 400,000 were removed through federal enforcement operations.
Zero Release Policy Restores Border Security
The Trump administration has completely reversed the catch-and-release policies that plagued previous years. For four consecutive months, Customs and Border Protection has released zero illegal immigrants into the United States, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to ending the revolving door at our borders. This stark contrast to previous policies shows how effective leadership can quickly transform immigration enforcement. ICE operations have expanded significantly, including raids in sanctuary cities that previously harbored illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement.
Swift Implementation of Campaign Promises
Trump wasted no time implementing his immigration agenda upon taking office. Within days of his January 20 inauguration, ICE began large-scale enforcement operations on January 23, targeting sanctuary cities that had previously obstructed federal immigration law. The administration prioritized removing criminals while also addressing the broader population of illegal immigrants who violated our nation’s sovereignty. This comprehensive approach has sent a clear message that America’s immigration laws will be enforced regardless of political pressure from open-borders advocates.
America First Immigration Policy Delivers Results
The administration’s success rate puts it on pace to reach nearly 600,000 deportations by year’s end, fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise to restore law and order to our immigration system. These enforcement actions have targeted both recent arrivals and long-term illegal residents, with particular focus on those with criminal records who pose threats to American communities. The high rate of voluntary self-deportation indicates that many illegal immigrants recognize the changed enforcement environment and are choosing to leave rather than face removal proceedings.
This remarkable achievement demonstrates what happens when America has leadership committed to putting citizens first and enforcing our laws. The contrast with previous administrations that enabled mass illegal immigration could not be clearer, proving that strong enforcement policies work when implemented with determination and proper resources.
Sources:
New Milestone: Over 2 Million Illegal Aliens Out of the United States in Less than 250 Days
Trump admin reports 2 million illegal aliens removed, self-deported from US in first 8 months