- DHS Secretary Mullin confirms deportations are on pace to surpass one million by the end of 2026.
- A seventy billion dollar bill shifts enforcement focus toward interior community sweeps and detention expansion.
- Supreme Court ruling enables the termination of TPS status for three hundred fifty thousand Haitian nationals.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed on June 28, 2026, that 2026 deportation totals are on pace to exceed the 622,000 removals recorded in 2025, with projections suggesting the final count could surpass 1 million by year’s end.
Mullin, marking his first 100 days as DHS secretary, attributed the projected increase to expanded interior enforcement and what he called “aggressive enforcement tactics” aimed at fulfilling the administration’s mandate for the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. DHS reports indicate that nearly 900,000 total removals have been conducted since January 2025. Mullin stated that at the current rate, 2025 totals would be surpassed within approximately six weeks.
The acceleration follows congressional passage of a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill in June 2026, extending funding through 2029 for ICE and CBP operations. The legislation signals a shift from border-focused enforcement to interior-focused operations, including community sweeps and expanded detention infrastructure. New facilities include the Delaney Hall facility in New Jersey, with proposed additional sites in Michigan.
Enforcement Programs and Operations
Several programs underpin the enforcement surge. The “Worst of the Worst” portal, launched in December 2025, profiles arrested individuals and currently features more than 35,000 entries. The CBP Home App, part of “Project Homecoming,” offers a $1,000 to $2,600 stipend and civil fine forgiveness for individuals who voluntarily depart and confirm their return through the app. Operation Midway Blitz, a targeted enforcement action in early 2026, resulted in over 4,500 arrests.
Mullin has also threatened to withdraw CBP processing from international airports in sanctuary cities that decline to cooperate with ICE, including Chicago and New York. The potential move could disrupt international travel, particularly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The shift toward interior enforcement raises distinct legal questions. ICE operations in communities may implicate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. Individuals encountered during enforcement actions retain the right to remain silent and decline to sign documents without counsel present. Expedited removal under INA § 235, expanded under current policy, applies to individuals found anywhere in the United States who cannot establish two years of continuous physical presence, bypassing full hearings before an immigration judge.
TPS Terminations and Detention Concerns
The Supreme Court’s June 2026 decision in Mullin v. Doe cleared the path for the administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians. The administration has urged affected individuals to seek permanent lawful status or depart voluntarily. TPS termination authority derives from INA § 244, which grants the Secretary discretion to extend or revoke country designations.
Detention conditions have drawn scrutiny from advocates and attorneys. Reports from facilities including Delaney Hall describe inadequate medical care and dangerous conditions that have prompted hunger strikes. According to data from late 2025 and early 2026, 73.6% of immigration detainees have no criminal convictions, despite the “Worst of the Worst” framing of enforcement operations.
Individuals in removal proceedings face heightened risks under the accelerated timeline. Those with pending applications for relief, including asylum under INA § 208, withholding of removal under INA § 241(b)(3), or cancellation of removal under INA § 240A, should verify case status and ensure current addresses are on file with EOIR and USCIS.
Recommended Actions
Immigration attorneys advising clients in affected populations should prioritize several steps. Verify whether clients hold TPS designations subject to termination under the Mullin v. Doe ruling, and assess eligibility for alternative relief including asylum, adjustment of status, or U nonimmigrant status where applicable. Confirm that all clients in active removal proceedings have updated addresses on file with EOIR under 8 C.F.R. § 1003.15(d).
Evaluate whether clients may benefit from the CBP Home App self-deportation program, while weighing the legal consequences of voluntary departure under INA § 240B against potential avenues for relief.
The administration’s enforcement trajectory suggests continued intensification through 2029. Legal challenges to the TPS terminations and detention conditions are likely, though no federal court has yet issued an injunction staying the Mullin v. Doe ruling. ICE enforcement statistics and USCIS immigration data reports are available for tracking enforcement and application processing trends.
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration law and is not legal advice. Immigration cases are highly fact-specific, and laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation.
