JD Vance Says Illegal Immigration Has Declined Under Trump, Citing Over 3 Million Migrant Departures

US Vice President JD Vance has claimed that illegal immigration has declined significantly since Donald Trump returned to the White House, stating that more than three million migrants have left the United States under the administration's immigration crackdown. Vance highlighted the figures while defending Trump's border policies, pointing to a sharp decline in migrant apprehensions and a reduction in the number of migrants being released into the country's interior after being detained at the border.

In a post on X, Vance said US Border Patrol recorded 98,708 apprehensions along the southwest border during the 2026 fiscal year. He compared this with the Biden administration's highest monthly apprehension figure of 249,740, arguing that the latest numbers reflected a major change in border enforcement. "Turns out all we needed was a new President!" Vance wrote, crediting Trump's policies for the decline.

The vice president also claimed that Border Patrol recorded zero releases of apprehended migrants into the US interior during FY2026. The administration has repeatedly highlighted its decision to end the previous practice commonly referred to as 'catch and release' as a key part of its immigration strategy. According to figures promoted by the Trump administration, more than three million migrants have departed the country since January 2025. The departures reportedly include individuals who were deported as well as those who left voluntarily.

The administration has also pointed to increased deportation operations and initiatives such as Project Homecoming, which encourages undocumented migrants to leave the country voluntarily by offering assistance with travel arrangements and financial incentives to eligible participants. However, independent researchers have questioned the accuracy and methodology behind the administration's overall departure figure.

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI), in an analysis published in October 2026, estimated that approximately 980,000 deportations took place between January 20, 2025, and July 31, 2026. Its estimates of total departures among migrants who had lived in the United States for at least a year ranged between 790,000 and 1.9 million. The institute said publicly available information was insufficient to independently verify the administration's claim that more than three million migrants had left the country. It also highlighted difficulties in tracking voluntary departures and the possibility of overlapping figures in government calculations.

The decline in border apprehensions has nevertheless become a central argument for the Trump administration as it seeks to demonstrate the impact of its tougher immigration policies. Trump made border security and mass deportations major promises during his election campaign. Since taking office, his administration has introduced stricter enforcement measures, expanded deportation operations and tightened restrictions on unauthorised entry. The latest claims from Vance are likely to further fuel the debate over the effectiveness of Trump's immigration crackdown, with the administration presenting the figures as evidence of progress while independent assessments continue to examine the scale of migrant departures.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from AFP.