Fact Check: Since President Donald Trump took office in January and started acting on his campaign promise of mass deportations, ICE and related agencies have quickly escalated efforts to remove undocumented immigrants.

Fact Check: "Since President Donald Trump took office in January and started acting on his campaign promise of mass deportations, ICE and related agencies have quickly escalated efforts to remove undocumented immigrants."

What We Know

Since President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025, there has been a notable increase in the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related agencies regarding the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Reports indicate that deportations have surged, with approximately 140,000 individuals deported by April 2025, and a significant increase in ICE arrests and detentions since the beginning of his term (source-3, source-5). The average number of individuals held in immigration detention has reportedly increased by 25% since Trump took office, reflecting a shift towards more aggressive enforcement strategies (source-5).

Additionally, the Trump administration has been characterized as pursuing a "hardline" and "maximalist" approach to immigration enforcement, reversing many policies from the previous administration (source-3). This includes the controversial decision to allow ICE to conduct raids in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that President Trump has escalated deportation efforts is supported by various data points and reports from credible sources. The increase in deportations and ICE arrests aligns with Trump's campaign promises of mass deportation, which he reiterated upon taking office (source-5).

However, while the numbers indicate a rise in deportations, some analyses suggest that the overall pace may not meet the aggressive targets set by the administration, as deportations were behind schedule compared to previous years (source-4). This discrepancy highlights the challenges of executing such a large-scale operation, as finding and removing undocumented immigrants is a complex and time-consuming process.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with data coming from government reports and reputable news organizations. However, it is essential to note that the interpretation of these numbers can vary, and some sources may have a bias based on their political leanings. For instance, while TIME provides a detailed account of the increase in deportations, it also contextualizes these numbers within the broader immigration enforcement landscape, which may affect how the data is perceived (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that President Trump has quickly escalated efforts to remove undocumented immigrants since taking office is True. The evidence shows a marked increase in both ICE arrests and deportations, aligning with his campaign promises. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of these efforts may vary, and the administration has faced significant challenges in achieving its ambitious goals.

Sources

1. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
2. FY 2017 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Report
3. Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump
4. In First 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Has Dramatically Reshaped the U.S. Immigration System, but Is Not Meeting Mass Deportation Aims
5. Trump's Deportation Numbers, Explained
6. Trump's Ineffective Use of ICE Detainers: Numbers Jump
7. Comparing the Biden and Trump Deportation Records
8. Assessing Trump's aggressive deportation goals (part 1)