Migration Policy Institute Report Details US Deportations and Visa Revocations

The US Department of Homeland Security oversaw 980,000 deportations during the first 18 months of President Donald Trump's second term, according to a report published on Thursday by the Migration Policy Institute think tank.

The report, authored by Marc Rosenblum, a former head of the DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics, found that only 20 percent of all deportations in this period involved individuals with a criminal conviction. Additionally, of the deportations involving immigrants with two or more years of US residence, 71 percent were of people who did not have a criminal conviction.

On an annual basis, total deportations are up from the administration of former President Joe Biden and Trump's first term, but remained well below levels routinely observed in the early 2000s, the report noted.

Out of the 980,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection deportations during Trump's second term, about 59 percent—or 580,000—were removals. Furthermore, 30 percent, or 300,000, were enforcement returns, and 11 percent, or 110,000, were administrative returns.

President Trump has stated that his immigration crackdown and deportation drive aim to improve domestic security. Meanwhile, rights advocates contend that the crackdown has violated due process and free speech rights, creating an unsafe environment particularly for ethnic minorities who have raised concerns about racial profiling.

In addition to deportations, the State Department stated on Tuesday that the Trump administration has revoked over 300,000 US visas during his second term. Rights advocates have particularly condemned visa revocations involving pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating against US ally Israel's assault on Gaza, as well as those of foreigners over social media comments concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

The Trump administration's deportation attempts have faced multiple legal challenges with mixed results.

"Changes in immigration policies, border enforcement, and visa regulations have a direct and significant impact on global mobility, international talent acquisition, and cross-border business operations. Regulatory shifts of this magnitude require multinational organizations, founders, and enterprises to closely monitor compliance landscapes and adapt their workforce strategies accordingly to navigate legal and operational uncertainties." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes