Nearly 2 million illegal migrants have left the United States voluntarily since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, according to new figures released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The number, around 1.9 million “self-departures” forms the largest share of more than 2.5 million total exits, which also include over 600,000 formal deportations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The administration says the data shows its tougher immigration approach is working.
What Is ‘self-deportation’?
DHS defines self-deportation as migrants leaving the US on their own, without being formally arrested or removed by immigration authorities. Officials say many illegal immigrants are choosing to leave after facing stricter enforcement, public warnings, and the threat of detention.
Former immigration judge Andrew Arthur told the Washington Examiner that consistent enforcement sends a clear signal. “When the law is applied seriously, people get the message and leave on their own,” he said. The Trump administration has leaned heavily on a mix of direct enforcement and public deterrence.
ICE currently has about 6,500 deportation officers, far too few to arrest and remove millions of people easily and at quicker pace. As a result, voluntary departures are seen by the administration as a practical way to reduce the undocumented population.
The White House has amplified this message through frequent social media posts of the arrests, especially of immigrants with criminal convictions, to warn others against staying in the country illegally. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks rejected claims that the campaign is meant to scare communities. “The message is simple,” he said. “Do not come.”
Incentives to leave US
To encourage voluntary exits, DHS expanded its departure incentive programme this year. Illegal migrants who register through the CBP Home mobile app can receive free airfare to their home country, a cash incentive (initially $1,000, later increased to $3,000), waivers of certain civil fines linked to unlawful presence
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS News that migrants who ignore the programme will face arrest and permanent bans from re-entering the US. DHS says the approach saves taxpayer money. ICE estimates the average cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting one migrant is about $17,000, far higher than airfare and a stipend.
Are the numbers accurate?
Some analysts have raised doubts about the 1.9 million self-departure figure. David Bier of the Cato Institute told the Washington Examiner that the total may include some legal migrants who left the US voluntarily, or rely on incomplete data sources. Others point out that voluntary exits and formal deportations were historically reported separately, making year-on-year comparisons difficult. Self-deportations have risen, interior enforcement has also expanded sharply.
ICE detention centres are holding record numbers of migrants, stretching capacity and increasing concerns over due process. Immigration courts remain overwhelmed, with massive backlogs slowing hearings and appeals.
Rights groups warn that many “voluntary” departures happen under intense pressure, leaving migrants little real choice. The DHS announcement comes amid a broader tightening of US immigration policy.
Earlier this month, the White House added seven more countries to its travel restriction list, including Syria, Palestinian Authority travel document holders, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
With these additions, 20 countries now face full or partial US entry bans, many of them conflict-affected or Muslim-majority nations. The administration argues that weak identity verification systems in these countries pose national security risks.
