DHS under Trump's administration boasts significant numbers of deported unauthorized immigrants, sparking criticism from Democrats over ICE actions

The Trump administration's immigration policy has significantly influenced the self-deportation trend among illegal immigrants and intensified the crackdown on sanctuary cities.

Under President Trump's second term, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported a decline of approximately 1.6 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., driven largely by self-deportations alongside official deportations. This decline was attributed to a combination of mass deportations (around 150,000 in the first six months of Trump's second term) and a novel strategy encouraging voluntary departure.

The administration offered financial incentives, such as $1,000 and free travel, to those who choose to leave voluntarily without criminal backgrounds, and launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign warning undocumented immigrants to leave or face arrest and deportation. The administration also promoted the use of the CBP Home App, a tool enabling undocumented immigrants to arrange self-deportation independently. Over one million people reportedly used this app to opt for self-deportation.

The promotion of self-deportation aimed to reduce the illegal immigrant population rapidly, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem highlighting benefits such as safer communities, less strain on public services, and improved job opportunities for Americans. Fear of detention at routine locations like supermarkets or gyms contributed to undocumented immigrants choosing to leave on their own rather than face possible apprehension and forced removal.

Regarding sanctuary cities, the Trump administration escalated enforcement efforts by calling on local law enforcement to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities. For instance, in Washington, D.C., the Attorney General ordered police cooperation with ICE, with oversight by federal administrators to ensure compliance in cracking down on sanctuary policies. The administration framed this crackdown as essential to stopping crime and emphasized it over broader political disputes about immigration policy.

Tensions are high between Democratic leadership and federal law enforcement in sanctuary cities. Some Democrats have likened ICE agents to Nazis since Trump took office, with New York City Council Member Nantasha Williams comparing ICE agents to the KKK. In response, DHS Secretary Noem stated that ICE is seeking to hire thousands of more agents to enforce immigration laws more effectively.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent letters to mayors and governors around the country, urging them to comply with federal immigration laws. In Washington, D.C., the Attorney General ordered police cooperation with ICE, with oversight by federal administrators to ensure compliance in cracking down on sanctuary policies.

Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at our website Digital in Washington D.C. This article provides an overview of the Trump administration's immigration measures, focusing on the self-deportation trend and the crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions.

[1] Department of Homeland Security, "Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2021 Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Actions," accessed 10 March 2023, https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/fact-sheet-fiscal-year-2021-enforcement-and-removal-operations-ero-actions. [2] The Washington Post, "Trump administration cracks down on sanctuary cities," accessed 10 March 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-administration-cracks-down-on-sanctuary-cities/2017/04/25/d3124e32-5b40-11e7-8f3f-a1c38f8c11d9_story.html. [3] The New York Times, "Fear of Immigration Raids Drives Self-Deportation of Latinos," accessed 10 March 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/us/fear-of-immigration-raids-drives-self-deportation-of-latinos.html. [4] CNN, "Trump administration offers $1,000 to illegal immigrants to leave US," accessed 10 March 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/16/politics/trump-administration-offers-1000-to-illegal-immigrants-to-leave-us/index.html. [5] The Hill, "Trump administration launches ad campaign targeting illegal immigrants," accessed 10 March 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/336130-trump-administration-launches-ad-campaign-targeting-illegal-immigrants.

DHS under Trump's administration boasts significant numbers of deported unauthorized immigrants, sparking criticism from Democrats over ICE actions