Fact Check: Are U.S. citizens being departed.

Are U.S. Citizens Being Departed?

The claim that U.S. citizens are being deported has surfaced in various discussions surrounding immigration policy, particularly in the context of recent statements from political figures and reports on immigration enforcement actions. This article will explore the nuances of this claim, examining the available evidence and the context surrounding it without reaching a definitive conclusion.

What We Know

1. ICE Removals and Expulsions: According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fiscal Year 2023 report, there were 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions, which primarily affected non-citizens. Title 42 is a public health order that allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border due to health concerns, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic 1.

2. Political Proposals: Recently, former President Donald Trump suggested that his administration was exploring the possibility of detaining U.S. citizens and sending them to prisons in El Salvador. This proposal has raised concerns about the legality and ethics of deporting citizens, as U.S. law generally prohibits the deportation of citizens 3.

3. Self-Deportation: Some reports indicate that certain immigrants are choosing to leave the U.S. voluntarily, a phenomenon referred to as "self-deportation." This is often driven by fear of deportation or changing immigration policies 4. However, this primarily involves non-citizens, and there is no substantial evidence to suggest that U.S. citizens are engaging in self-deportation.

4. High-Profile Deportation Cases: There have been instances where individuals, including those with legal status, have been deported despite court orders preventing such actions. For example, Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national who had been living in Maryland, was deported despite a judge's order barring his removal 78. However, it is crucial to note that he was not a U.S. citizen but rather a legal resident.

5. Policy Changes: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to revoke legal status for over half a million migrants, which could lead to increased deportations of non-citizens if they do not leave voluntarily 9. This policy change does not directly imply the deportation of U.S. citizens.

Analysis

The claim that U.S. citizens are being deported appears to be conflated with broader discussions about immigration enforcement and policy changes affecting non-citizens.

• Source Reliability: The ICE report is a primary source and provides official statistics on removals and expulsions, making it a reliable reference for understanding the scope of immigration enforcement 1. However, it does not support the claim regarding U.S. citizens being deported.

• Political Statements: Statements from political figures, such as Trump's proposal, should be approached with caution. They may reflect political agendas rather than actual policy implementations. NPR's coverage of Trump's comments indicates a potential for future actions but does not confirm any current deportations of U.S. citizens 3.

• Self-Deportation Context: The concept of self-deportation is well-documented in immigration studies, but it primarily applies to non-citizens who feel compelled to leave due to fear of enforcement actions 4. This does not support the claim of U.S. citizens being forcibly removed.

• Legal Framework: U.S. law generally protects citizens from deportation. The legal framework surrounding immigration enforcement is complex, and any claims regarding the deportation of citizens would require substantial legal justification, which is currently lacking in the available evidence.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that U.S. citizens are being deported is not supported by the available evidence. Key evidence includes the ICE report, which indicates that removals and expulsions primarily affect non-citizens, and the legal framework that protects U.S. citizens from deportation. Political statements suggesting potential actions do not equate to actual deportations occurring.

It is important to note that while discussions around immigration policy and enforcement are ongoing, the specific claim regarding the deportation of U.S. citizens lacks substantiation. Furthermore, the complexities of immigration law and policy mean that interpretations can vary, and future changes could alter the landscape.

Readers should remain aware of the limitations in the available evidence and critically evaluate information regarding immigration and deportation claims.

Sources

1. ICE releases fiscal year 2023 annual report. (2023). Retrieved from ICE
2. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services news releases. Retrieved from USCIS
3. Trump hopes to deport and jail U.S. citizens abroad. (2025). NPR. Retrieved from NPR
4. Some immigrants are already leaving the US in 'self-deportations'. (2023). AP News. Retrieved from AP News
5. Deported Salvadoran will never live back in US, says White House. (2023). BBC. Retrieved from BBC
6. Kilmar Ábrego García: Who is the man deported from Maryland to El Salvador? (2023). BBC. Retrieved from BBC
7. Maryland Senator meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. (2023). AP News. Retrieved from AP News
8. What we know about Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (2023). NBC News. Retrieved from NBC News
9. U.S. to revoke legal status of more than a half-million migrants. (2023). CBS News. Retrieved from CBS News
10. Denied, detained, deported: the most high-profile cases in immigration. (2025). The Guardian. Retrieved from The Guardian