Who is ice deporting

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deporting undocumented immigrants, including individuals with criminal records and those who entered the country illegally. In fiscal year 2023, ICE removed over 134,000 individuals, a 22% increase from 2022.

Key Facts

ICE removed 134,091 individuals in fiscal year 2023
Deportations rose 22% from 2022 to 2023
Approximately 60% of those deported had criminal convictions
ICE prioritizes national security threats and recent border crossers
Over 200,000 individuals were in ICE custody during 2023

Overview

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States. It identifies, detains, and removes individuals who are in the country without legal authorization, particularly those who pose threats to public safety or national security.

Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE operates through Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which manages detention, deportation proceedings, and coordination with local law enforcement. Its actions have drawn both support and criticism, depending on political and humanitarian perspectives.

134,091 deportations occurred in fiscal year 2023, marking the highest number since 2014 and a significant increase from the 110,000 removed in 2022.
Approximately 60% of those deported had criminal convictions, including offenses ranging from DUIs to violent crimes, according to ICE’s annual statistics.
ICE prioritizes individuals who pose a threat to public safety, including those with terrorism links, gang affiliations, or aggravated felony convictions.
The agency detained over 200,000 individuals in 2023 across a network of over 200 facilities, including contracted county jails and federal detention centers.
Under the Biden administration, ICE initially focused on recent border crossers and national security risks, but enforcement has broadened since 2022.

How It Works

ICE’s deportation process involves identification, detention, legal proceedings, and removal. The agency uses databases, arrests, and cooperation with local jurisdictions to locate undocumented individuals subject to removal.

Detainer: A formal request from ICE to local law enforcement to hold an individual suspected of being undocumented for up to 48 hours beyond their release time. This allows ICE to assume custody.
Notice to Appear (NTA): A charging document issued by ICE that initiates removal proceedings in immigration court, specifying the reasons for deportation, such as illegal entry or visa overstay.
Immigration Court: A federal administrative court where individuals contest deportation. In 2023, over 1.8 million cases were pending, leading to significant backlogs and delays.
Voluntary Departure: An option allowing individuals to leave the U.S. voluntarily within a set period, avoiding a formal deportation order and potential reentry bans.
Final Order of Removal: Issued when an immigration judge rules that an individual must leave the U.S., which can be enforced immediately or delayed under certain protections.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO): The ICE division responsible for transporting and removing individuals, coordinating flights with countries that accept deportees, and managing detention facilities.

Comparison at a Glance

Deportation trends vary significantly by administration, enforcement priorities, and global migration patterns. The table below compares key metrics across recent years.

Year	Total Deportations	Criminal Convictions	Average Detention Time	Top Countries of Origin
2019	267,258	~65%	45 days	Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Brazil
2021	59,242	~50%	32 days	Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Haiti
2022	110,000	~58%	38 days	Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, India
2023	134,091	~60%	41 days	Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, China
2024 (projected)	~140,000	~62%	43 days	Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba

The data shows a rebound in deportations following a dip during the early Biden years. Increased migration from non-Mexican countries, such as Venezuela and Cuba, has shifted ICE’s operational focus and strained detention capacity.

Why It Matters

ICE’s deportation activities have broad implications for immigration policy, civil liberties, and international relations. The scale and targeting of removals influence public perception, legal challenges, and diplomatic negotiations with sending countries.

High-profile ICE raids have sparked protests and lawsuits, particularly when conducted in workplaces or near schools, raising concerns about civil rights violations.
Deportations impact families, with over 200,000 U.S. citizen children estimated to have a parent detained or removed by ICE between 2010 and 2020.
Some local governments have adopted sanctuary policies, limiting cooperation with ICE detainers to protect community trust in law enforcement.
ICE’s use of private detention centers has drawn criticism over conditions, oversight, and profit motives, leading to calls for reform.
Deportation flights to countries like Venezuela and Cuba require diplomatic coordination, as some nations resist accepting deportees without proper documentation.
Advocacy groups argue that due process delays and prolonged detention undermine fairness, especially given the lack of a right to government-appointed counsel in immigration court.

As immigration remains a contentious national issue, ICE’s role continues to evolve under shifting political priorities and legal rulings, shaping the lives of hundreds of thousands annually.