Overview
- ICE, created in 2003 under the Homeland Security Act, is charged with identifying, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants and investigating transnational crimes.
- Reporting indicates the agency’s annual budget rose from about $8 billion to nearly $30 billion in President Trump’s second term, doubling staff to more than 22,000 across roughly 400 offices.
- The expanded footprint has enabled broader raids in workplaces, migrant communities and sanctuary jurisdictions, increasing friction with local authorities.
- Rights organizations say a restrictive reading of migrants’ protections has allowed detentions and deportations with reduced judicial review, fueling discrimination concerns.
- A new government tally cited in recent coverage reports 605,000 deportations between January 20 and December 10, 2025, and 1.9 million voluntary departures tied to a campaign urging people to leave.