Category: Fox News
Deportations top 2 million under Trump — and most aren’t by force
Deportations and border security have been a crucial part of the second Trump administration, and nine months in, the government has started to release some results. Despite seemingly constant obstruction from Democrats, the administration has begun to deliver on its promises of mass deportations.
“The president is all about results, … and what President Trump, Secretary Noem, and our law enforcement have been able to do in the past 270 days, despite the injunctions, despite the obstruction from sanctuary city politicians and these activist judges, is really nothing short of extraordinary,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Fox News interview on Monday.
‘While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant.’
She went on to report that over 2 million illegal aliens have left the country since the beginning of Trump’s term, citing an October 27 press release.
McLaughlin claimed in the press release that the majority of the deportations have been voluntary: “More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations.”
Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images
According to a March 2025 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, there are an estimated 18.6 million illegal aliens in the United States.
“While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant,” Ira Mehlman, media director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Blaze News.
Mehlman emphasized that illegal aliens are “rational” actors. If the perceived benefits of coming to the United States are unavailable to them because of their illegal status, they will likely leave voluntarily or not immigrate at all.
“If we … make it difficult to enter, difficult to find employment or access benefits and services, and that there is a reasonable chance that you might be apprehended and removed, illegal aliens will make similarly rational decisions: Many fewer come here illegally, and many of those who are here decide that they should leave on their own,” Melhman told Blaze News.
The government is also offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport, according to the press release.
Deterrence and shifting incentive structures for illegal immigrants have been key to turning the tide on the Biden border crisis, but more work needs to be done, as DHS admits.
“This is just the beginning. … DHS, ICE, and CBP have not just closed the border, but made historic strides to carry out President Trump’s promise of arresting and deporting illegal aliens who have invaded our country,” the DHS press release continued. “Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence: Migrants are now turning back before they even reach our borders.”
“Migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99.99%,” McLaughlin added, referring to the dangerous route connecting South and Central America that many immigrants use on their way to America.
In the interview, McLaughlin also added that 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will soon be hired to assist with immigration operations.
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‘Major’ Halloween terror plot thwarted by FBI involved links to ISIS, ‘LGBTQ+ community’: DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice released a criminal complaint detailing the stunning accusations related to an alleged ISIS-related Jihadi terror plot thwarted in Michigan.
Federal Bureau of Investigation officials searched several locations Friday and arrested three suspects before FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had prevented a major terror attack planned for Halloween weekend.
Prosecutors say that messages between the co-conspirators show references to other terror attacks that they wanted to emulate.
On Monday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the unsealed criminal complaint against two individuals, though as many as five were allegedly involved.
“Our newly unsealed complaint reveals a major ISIS-linked terror plot with multiple subjects arrested in the Eastern District of Michigan targeting the United States,” wrote Bondi. “According to the complaint, subjects had multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear, and a detailed plan to carry out an attack on American soil.”
Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud allegedly purchased a shotgun and an AR-15 and practiced shooting with three other co-conspirators, according to the complaint.
They are both U.S. citizens.
The FBI found over 1,600 rounds of ammunition during a search of their homes, as well as multiple AR-15-style rifles, shotguns, handguns, and tactical vests, the complaint said.
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Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images
The investigation began when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official found alarming terror-related images and searches on a phone of one of the co-conspirators after they returned to the U.S. from traveling abroad.
Prosecutors say that messages between the co-conspirators show references to other terror attacks that they wanted to emulate. The alleged plot was targeting innocents in the Ferndale suburb of Detroit.
“Many of the clubs and bars in this area intentionally attract members of the LGBTQ+ community,” read the complaint.
One of the co-conspirators also allegedly wanted to go to Syria to join ISIS and was trying to persuade the others to follow.
Five men were questioned by law enforcement, and two were released.
On Sunday, Amir Makled, an attorney for one of the suspects, said he had reviewed the matter and claimed there had been no plot, just a group of young gamers.
“I don’t know where this hysteria and this fearmongering came from,” said Makled.
“If these young men were on forums that they should not have been on or things of that nature, then we’ll have to wait and see,” he added. “But I don’t believe that there’s anything illegal about any of the activity they were doing.”
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Wisconsin mom who criticized ‘woke, White’ social justice coordinator beats defamation lawsuit
A mother and activist who criticized a “social justice coordinator” was able to overcome a defamation lawsuit by a former English teacher.
Mary MacCudden accused Scarlett Johnson of harming her reputation when Johnson wrote critical messages in Oct. 2022 about MacCudden’s job at the Mequon-Thiensville School District in Wisconsin.
‘I felt I had to fight back in this case. … I had to stand up because this would never stop.’
“Why the hell am I paying for a ‘Social Justice Coordinator’ in my school district?” Johnson wrote with a screenshot of MacCudden’s LinkedIn profile. “This is just what @mtschools needs; more woke, White women w/ a god complex. Thank you, White savior.”
Johnson went on to describe diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioners as “woke lunatics” who “bully” parents “into silence and compliance.”
Attorneys for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued that Johnson’s criticisms were merely “run-of-the-mill social media posts” that were protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday on Johnson’s side.
“We conclude that Johnson’s statements do not constitute defamation. Thus, we reverse and remand for the circuit court to enter summary judgment in Johnson’s favor,” the court said.
The ruling found some of the terms she used were subjective, while others were “vague and do not have a clear meaning or definition.”
Johnson told Fox News Digital that the lawsuit was intended to silence parents from criticizing DEI policies.
“I felt I had to fight back in this case. It couldn’t be like the other. I had to stand up because this would never stop,” she said. “They’d keep going after parents like me.”
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Luke Berg, the deputy counsel for WILL, praised the ruling.
“Scarlett, like all of us, has the right to question and criticize her government,” read the statement. “The defamation lawsuit against her was meritless and should have been promptly dismissed. We are pleased that the Court agreed, and that Scarlett can put this distraction behind her.”
MacCudden’s attorney, James McAlister, did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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Avalanche in Nepal kills 7 climbers on Mount Yalung Ri
Five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides were killed when an avalanche struck Mount Yalung Ri as rescue teams are facing rough terrain and poor weather.
Air India sole crash survivor says he feels like ‘luckiest man’ alive but struggles with trauma
Air India crash survivor battles severe PTSD after losing brother in tragic Boeing accident. Viswashkumar Ramesh struggles with mental health, physical injuries.
3,000+ YouTube videos deliver malware disguised as free software
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Former governor breaks years of political silence to make major announcement in pivotal race
Former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean endorses Jack Ciattarelli for governor, urging voters to back GOP nominee in Tuesday’s election for ‘real change’ in the state.
Tony Romo’s awkward noises during NFL broadcast draws criticism
Former NFL star Tony Romo came under scrutiny on Sunday as he made strange noises while analyzing a crucial play in a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
Trump backs Cuomo and threatens to cut federal funding if ‘Communist Mamdani’ wins NYC mayor race
Donald Trump warns New York City would face economic disaster under Zohran Mamdani’s leadership and endorses Andrew Cuomo for mayor instead.
Former Democrat politician may have fled country with son after allegedly stealing $30K: officials
Former Oregon county commissioner Melissa Fireside fled to Mexico after stealing $30k from elderly man, officials allege. Authorities fear she may escape to Amsterdam with her child.
