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US immigration in 2026, in brief
Since January 2025 the Trump administration has sharply expanded arrests, detention and deportations, and border crossings have fallen to their lowest level since 1970. These policies have led to large protests and court battles, and two US citizens were shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.
356,389ICE removals in fiscal 2026, to 21 July (ICE via ABC)
~73,000people in ICE detention at the January 2026 peak (CBS)
237,538southwest border apprehensions in fiscal 2025, lowest since 1970 (House brief)
50.2mforeign-born residents, about 14.8% of the population, 2024 (CRS)
What is happening?
- Deportations and detention are at record levels. Congress approved $170.7 billion for enforcement in July 2025. Government and independent counts of removals differ, and the full report shows both.
- Legal routes have narrowed. A travel ban covers 39 countries. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been ended for most countries that had it, and the refugee ceiling was set at a record low.
- Courts have pushed back in places. The Supreme Court struck down the order ending birthright citizenship on 30 June 2026, but allowed several TPS terminations to go ahead.
- Enforcement operations sparked unrest. Large operations in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis led to protests, National Guard deployments and lawsuits over them.
What do people disagree about?
The administration says strict enforcement restores the rule of law and public safety. Critics, including Democratic officials and civil-liberties groups, say the operations sweep up people with no criminal record and use excessive force. The protests and unrest report sets out each side's position with named sources.