The White House says the number of undocumented migrants in the United States fell by at least 2.3 million during Donald Trump’s second term, while more than 3 million people left the country. Nearly 1.2 million were deported or removed, and almost 1.3 million arrests were made. In 2025, the United States recorded its first negative net migration in at least 50 years.
According to the administration, illegal crossings at the southern border fell 95% in FY2026 compared with levels during the Biden era, reaching a historic low. Nationwide encounters with migrants totaled fewer than 380,000, compared with about 2.7 million a year under Biden. The practice of detaining and then releasing migrants ended: no one was released at the border for 17 consecutive months, and Border Patrol made no releases in FY2026.
The administration reported a 99.9% decline in asylum applications filed at ports of entry on the US-Mexico border. The White House says asylum is now granted in 7% of cases, compared with more than 50% under Biden. The immigration court backlog fell from more than 4.18 million to fewer than 3.09 million cases. Border-related deaths in FY2026 were down nearly 80% compared with the Biden administration.
On its first day, the administration declared an emergency at the southern border, sent military personnel there and ordered construction of barriers to resume. About 290 miles of new barriers have been built, including 131 miles of the main wall. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act allocated $34.3 billion for Smart Wall projects. The administration also reinstated Remain in Mexico; agreements with dozens of countries enabled the removal of more than 25,000 undocumented migrants to third countries.
The White House said the number of ICE officers more than doubled and capacity at immigration detention centers increased. More than 2,500 agreements were signed with state and local law enforcement agencies under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Laken Riley Act requires the detention of undocumented migrants accused of serious crimes. More than 10 Latin American cartels, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and Clan del Golfo, were designated terrorist organizations.
The administration also reported drug seizures. In FY2026, Customs and Border Protection seized nearly one million pounds of drugs, 63% above the average for the previous four years. The Coast Guard disrupted shipments of more than 624,000 pounds, including over 260,000 pounds of cocaine in Operation Pacific Viper. Fentanyl trafficking at the southern border fell 56%, while related deaths declined 22% in a year.
The White House said it tightened rules for legal immigration. H-1B visa holders now face a $100,000 payment to enter the United States, and the application lottery was ended; registrations for FY2027 fell 38%. Applicants from high-risk countries face bonds of up to $15,000. The administration also reported visa revocations, restrictions on undocumented migrants’ access to several government programs and a new tax on money transfers sent abroad.
