Story perspectives

Trump's Second Year Sees 675,000 Deportations, Falls Short

4/16/2026

Center

Trump's Deportation Efforts

The first year of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term yielded about 675,000 deportations.
The administration has not achieved its goal of 1 million deportations.
Efforts to deport migrants to third countries have produced about 15,000 removals under new agreements.
A federal appeals court halted contempt proceedings against Trump officials regarding deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants, citing overreach by a lower court.

Right

Court Ends Contempt Inquiry

A divided appeals court ordered U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to end his contempt inquiry over Venezuelan deportations.
The court ruled 2-1 that Boasberg overstepped his authority.
The ruling centers on the administration's use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called Boasberg's actions a "year-long campaign" against DOJ attorneys.
The decision is seen as a Trump administration victory amid ongoing immigration policy battles.

History

Historical Context

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, enacted during tensions with France, empowered the U.S. government to detain and deport foreign nationals during wartime. This law has been invoked by various presidents, including Donald Trump in 2025, who cited it to expedite the deportation of Venezuelan migrants linked to criminal gangs. This reflects ongoing debates over immigration authority and due process in the U.S. legal system.

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Trump's Deportation Efforts

The first year of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term yielded about 675,000 deportations.
The administration has not achieved its goal of 1 million deportations.
Efforts to deport migrants to third countries have produced about 15,000 removals under new agreements.
A federal appeals court halted contempt proceedings against Trump officials regarding deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants, citing overreach by a lower court.

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