Trump is moving fast to reshape America. There are years of damage that need to be undone.
And now the first fruits of Donald Trump’s agenda are sweeter than you’d expect.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Yields Historic Drop in US Immigrant Population
President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies have achieved a historic milestone, reducing the US immigrant population by 1.5 million in the first six months of 2025, from 53.3 million to 51.9 million, according to the Pew Research Center, marking the first decline in 50 years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that 1.6 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the US since Trump’s inauguration, driven by tightened border security and robust enforcement. Illegal border crossings have plummeted to under 5,000 per month, with zero migrants released into the US, a stark contrast to the estimated 10 million illegal entries during the Biden administration, per DHS data.
Trump’s leadership has restored order, prioritizing American workers and public resources, though critics argue the measures disrupt communities and legal immigration pathways.
Enforcement Achievements and Economic Impact
The Trump administration’s efforts include a massive deportation push, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies arresting 359,000 undocumented migrants and deporting 332,000 in the first 200 days, as reported by DHS.
ICE, under Border Czar Tom Homan, targets 3,000 daily arrests, focusing on sanctuary cities like New York and Los Angeles, though meeting this quota consistently remains challenging. A record 60,000 immigrants are currently detained, with some opting for self-deportation via the CBP Home app.
The State Department revoked 6,000 student visas, citing crimes like assault or alleged terrorism support, though critics question the transparency of these revocations.
The immigrant workforce share dropped from 20% to 19%, reducing 750,000 immigrant workers, which DHS Secretary Kristi Noem credits for easing strain on public services and boosting local job markets.
Trump celebrated the negative net migration on Truth Social, calling it a victory for border security.
Context and Challenges
While the immigrant population remains high at 15.4% of the US total, surpassing historical peaks, the decline echoes the 1930s Great Depression exodus.
Supporters praise Trump’s policies for prioritizing national security and economic stability, but opponents, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that targeting non-criminals and revoking legal statuses risks due process and community cohesion.
Ongoing legal challenges and public protests highlight the contentious nature of these policies, yet the administration remains committed to its goal of deporting 1 million undocumented migrants annually, leveraging new funding and inter-agency support to expand detention capacity.
