Washington, D.C.: According to CNN, over 20,000 undocumented immigrants were apprehended during the first month of Donald Trump's presidency, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Trump administration initiated a significant immigration enforcement effort immediately following his inauguration, regularly releasing daily arrest figures during the initial weeks of his term, as noted by CNN.
The rate of community arrests surpassed that of the Biden administration. In the previous fiscal year, under Biden, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out approximately 33,000 community arrests, according to CNN.
"President Trump and this Administration are saving lives every day through our efforts to secure the border and deport illegal alien criminals. Hundreds of thousands of criminals entered this country unlawfully. We are sending them back, and they will not be permitted to return," stated DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday.
Senior officials from the Trump administration have voiced dissatisfaction with the speed of arrests, leading to the dismissal of acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello on February 22.
While publicly denying any discontent with deportation rates, President Trump, who appointed Vitello, has privately expressed concerns to his senior immigration advisors, according to multiple sources.
Vitello, a long-serving government employee, is anticipated to be reassigned.
"The Acting Director of ICE is not being terminated; he is simply transitioning from an administrative role to overseeing all field and enforcement operations, which include locating, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens—a key priority for the President and Secretary," said Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.
Earlier in the day, during his inaugural Cabinet meeting, Trump stated that his administration achieved a record low in the number of illegal migrants entering the country over the past 50 years.
"We are also receiving tremendous support from border patrol and ICE agents—[they] have been exceptional. Their leadership within border patrol has been remarkable, and they are collaborating effectively. In fact, we have set records for the fewest illegal aliens and migrants entering our country in over 50 years, and we accomplished this in just a matter of weeks after taking over a challenging situation," he remarked.
Trump highlighted the influx of individuals into the U.S. and how the border officials managed to control it.
"The world was flooding in, and remember—many were coming from jails, prisons, mental institutions, and insane asylums, including gang members and drug traffickers. Anyone who wanted to enter could do so, not just from South America but from all corners of the globe. It’s incredible what they have achieved, and the efforts of Kristi Noem and Tom Homan have been truly outstanding. We welcome people to our country, but they must do so legally," he added.
