Fact Check: Fast-tracked deportations surged from 5% to 15% under Trump's administration.

Fact Check: "Fast-tracked deportations surged from 5% to 15% under Trump's administration."

What We Know

The claim that fast-tracked deportations surged from 5% to 15% under Trump's administration refers to the increase in expedited removals, a process that allows for quicker deportation without a court hearing. According to data from the New York Times, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement strategy significantly shifted towards increased deportations and arrests. The number of deportations rose sharply during the early months of Trump's presidency, with reports indicating that nearly 23,000 arrests and 18,000 deportations occurred in a single month as of early 2025.

However, the data also shows that while arrests increased, deportations did not keep pace with these arrests. For instance, ICE deported an average of 600 people a day in mid-February 2025, which is lower than the daily deportation rates seen in previous years. This indicates a complex picture where fast-tracked deportations may have increased, but the overall deportation numbers did not align with the surge in arrests (AP News).

Analysis

The claim of a surge in fast-tracked deportations from 5% to 15% lacks precise data to substantiate the specific percentage increase. While the Trump administration did implement policies that expanded the use of expedited removals, the exact figures regarding the percentage of deportations categorized as "fast-tracked" are not clearly documented in the available sources. The Department of Homeland Security and other reports indicate that there was a significant increase in the number of deportations, but they do not provide a clear breakdown of what percentage of these were expedited removals.

Furthermore, the reliability of the sources varies. The New York Times and AP News are reputable news organizations that provide detailed analyses and data. In contrast, the Wikipedia entry on deportations during Trump's presidency, while informative, may contain disputed figures and should be approached with caution due to potential bias and the nature of crowd-sourced content (Wikipedia).

The lack of comprehensive data on fast-tracked deportations specifically makes it difficult to verify the claim accurately. The increase in deportations overall does not necessarily correlate with the specific rise in fast-tracked processes, as the broader context of immigration enforcement under Trump involved various strategies and policies that affected deportation rates.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim that fast-tracked deportations surged from 5% to 15% under Trump's administration is not sufficiently supported by available data. While there is evidence of increased deportations and arrests, the specific percentage increase in fast-tracked deportations remains unclear. Further research and more precise data are required to accurately assess this claim.

Fact Check: Fast-tracked deportations surged from 5% to 15% under Trump's administration.