- The Trump administration has removed over 50,000 illegal immigrants since January 2025, focusing on both recent border crossers and long-standing fugitives with deportation orders, marking a significant shift from the previous administration's approach.
- Notable cases include Ivan Oramas and Santos Maradiaga-Villalta, both with decades-old deportation orders and violent criminal histories, highlighting the administration's commitment to removing dangerous individuals.
- Daily border crossings have dropped from 15,000 under former President Joe Biden to 200 under President Donald Trump – a 15-year low – due to increased resources and enforcement at the southern border.
- The administration is leveraging international agreements and military-assisted deportation flights to countries like Honduras and India, while also planning to detain up to 30,000 individuals at Guantanamo Bay.
- The administration prioritizes removing criminals and fugitives to uphold immigration laws, protect national security and ensure public safety, despite criticism from civil liberties groups.
The second Trump administration has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws, surpassing 50,000 illegal immigrant removals since President Donald Trump took office in January.
This aggressive enforcement strategy has focused not only on recent border crossers but also on long-standing fugitives who have evaded deportation orders for decades. According to officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this marks a dramatic shift from the previous administration's approach, which critics argue was far too lenient.
Among those recently apprehended are Cuban Ivan Oramas, 61, and Honduran Santos Maradiaga-Villalta, 40, both of whom had deportation orders dating back more than 20 years. Oramas as ordered deported in October 2003 after convictions for sexual battery and aggravated assault, with the sexual battery charge involving severe injury. Despite his violent criminal history, Oramas managed to evade authorities for over two decades until Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston finally apprehended him. (Related: $22 billion in taxpayer funds funneled to migrants for cars, homes, and loans.)
Meanwhile, Maradiaga-Villalta was arrested in Phoenix after a deportation order issued in January 2006. His criminal record includes convictions for smuggling illegal aliens into the United States. The cases of the two highlight a troubling reality: For years, individuals with deportation orders and criminal histories have been able to remain in the country, often blending into communities while avoiding accountability.
The administration's approach has been unapologetically tough, prioritizing the removal of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Of the 50,000 illegal immigrants removed so far, approximately 20,000 are fugitives with standing deportation orders. This represents a 627 percent increase in monthly arrests compared to the final year of the Biden administration, which saw just 33,000 at-large arrests for the entire year.
The administration's success is not limited to interior enforcement. Border encounters have plummeted from an alarming 15,000 per day under former President Joe Biden to just 200 per day under Trump – a 15-year low. This dramatic reduction is attributed to the administration’s swift action in surging resources, including military personnel, to the southern border. By deterring illegal crossings and enforcing immigration laws, the Trump administration has effectively restored order to a border that was once in chaos.
Focus on deporting evasive fugitives ensures public safety
The removal of long-evading fugitives like Oramas and Maradiaga-Villalta underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. These individuals were not only in violation of immigration laws, but also had criminal records that made them a danger to American communities. Their arrests send a clear message: No one is above the law, and those who attempt to evade deportation will be held accountable.
The administration's efforts have also extended beyond the border. Migrants have been airlifted to Cuba's Guantanamo Bay prison where the Trump administration plans to detain up to 30,000 individuals – including terrorists – as ICE facilities reach capacity. While this bold move has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups, the administration has remained steadfast in its mission to protect national security.
Despite the impressive numbers, the Trump administration is not resting on its laurels. Officials have acknowledged that deportations lagged expectations in the early weeks of the administration, leading to the reassignment of former ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello. His replacement will oversee field and enforcement operations, focusing on finding, arresting and deporting illegal aliens.
The administration is also leveraging international agreements with countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Costa Rica to facilitate the deportation of migrants from other nations. Military-assisted deportation flights have already transported individuals to countries such as Honduras, Ecuador, Peru and India. These efforts are expected to expand in the coming months, further bolstering the administration’s deportation strategy.
Critics of the administration's approach argue that it is overly harsh and fails to consider the complexities of immigration. However, supporters counter that enforcing immigration laws is essential to maintaining the integrity of the system and protecting American citizens.
As the administration continues to ramp up its efforts, the numbers speak for themselves. With over 50,000 removals already achieved and a significant reduction in border encounters, the Trump administration is delivering on its promise to enforce immigration laws and protect the American people.
Watch this Fox News report about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and border czar Tom Homan visiting the border.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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SECURE BORDERS: Trump’s border czar reports historic low in illegal immigrant encounters.
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