ICE Enforcement Trends FY2026: By the Numbers

The Record Pace

ICE has removed 356,389 people through approximately the first 9.5 months of FY2026 (which began October 1, 2025). That's an average of roughly 1,260 removals per day. At this pace, FY2026 would end with approximately 460,000 removals — exceeding the Obama administration's FY2013 record of 438,421.

The arrest pace has accelerated further. In June 2026, ICE and CBP combined for over 43,000 arrests — an average of 1,438 per day. Border czar Tom Homan has stated the administration is targeting 2,000 arrests per day, which would represent the highest sustained rate in ICE's 23-year history.

Detention at Capacity

ICE currently holds 65,765 individuals in detention facilities — a record high. This is nearly double the average daily detained population of 33,724 in FY2020 and more than triple the FY2021 low of 18,315. According to ICE, 60% of those detained have a criminal record.

The surge in detention has strained facility capacity. ICE operates or contracts with approximately 245 facilities nationwide, with the largest — ERO El Paso Camp East Montana — averaging over 2,000 detainees per day. Alternatives to detention (ATD) programs are monitoring an additional 183,181 individuals, according to TRAC Reports.

Historical Context

The current enforcement surge represents a dramatic reversal from the FY2021 low, when ICE removed just 59,011 people — an 80% decline from pre-pandemic levels driven by COVID restrictions and policy changes. Since then, removals have climbed steadily:

The Obama Record

The all-time record for ICE removals in a single fiscal year is 438,421, set in FY2013 under the Obama administration. While FY2026 is on pace to exceed that number in absolute terms, critics note the comparison isn't straightforward. The estimated unauthorized immigrant population has grown significantly since 2013, meaning removals as a proportion of the total unauthorized population may still be lower than the Obama-era peak.

Mike Howell of the Oversight Project has argued that "the numbers are only larger than Obama in absolute terms but smaller when you take into account the proportion of total illegal population," and that worksite enforcement must become "the backbone of operations" for removals to reach true mass deportation levels.

What to Watch

With the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, several factors will determine whether FY2026 sets a new record:

• Arrest acceleration: If the July pace of ~1,600 arrests/day holds, the pipeline of deportable individuals will continue to grow
• Detention capacity: At 65,765 detained, facilities are under strain — can the system absorb more?
• Receiving country cooperation: Deportations require destination countries to accept returnees
• Legal challenges: Ongoing court cases could constrain certain enforcement operations