This year alone, 500,000 were officially deported, and another 1.6 million decided to leave the country on their own, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The government of promotes one of the biggest waves of of recent decades. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), more than 500,000 immigrants have already been officially removed in 2025 — a number that could reach 600,000 by the end of the year. Furthermore, 1.6 million people opted for the so-called “self-deportation”, leaving the country voluntarily, often pressured by inspections and lack of opportunities.
Adding the two groups, more than 2 million undocumented immigrants left the US in less than 10 months. “There have been constant changes in the immigration courts. Practically every week a new decision emerges — a precedent case — that further restricts the rights of immigrants”, explains lawyer João Matheus Loyola, who works in Florida.
“Recently, for example, the court ruled that people who entered across the border no longer have the right to a bail hearing, which made many people drop their cases and accept voluntary deportation.” “We are enforcing immigration laws fairly but firmly. No one is above the law,” a DHS spokesperson said.
Stricter operations and incentives for voluntary departure
Part of the new policy includes financial incentives: airline tickets and up to US$1,000 for those who agree to leave voluntarily. The American government claims that the focus is “immigrants with criminal records”, but NGOs denounce family separations and deportations of people without criminal records. “These people are not numbers. They are lives being undone”, warned a human rights representative heard by the Telemundo network.
Data by country
Mexico: 185,000 deportees + 400,000 self-deported = 585,000
Guatemala: 70.000 + 160.000 = 230.000
Honduras: 55.000 + 130.000 = 185.000
: 40.000 + 110.000 = 150.000
Brazil: 28,000 + 65,000 = 93,000
Other countries: 122,000 + 735,000 = 857,000
TOTAL: +2.1 million immigrants (until October 2025).
Sources: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The human impact behind the numbers
The statistics hide real dramas: Families separated, parents being deported and US-born children being left behind. Many immigrants decided to leave before being detained — others were no longer able to sustain their lives after losing their jobs. “It’s the American dream that has become a nightmare. We no longer have peace,” a Brazilian woman told Telemundo. Loyola reinforces that, despite the tightening of laws, there are still possible paths.
“There are several legal ways to come to the United States, whether temporarily or to obtain a green card — and these ways remain valid and are approved daily by immigration”, highlights the lawyer. NGOs and civil entities warn of the increase in humanitarian crises at the borders and the risk of violation of basic rights.
Political and economic effect
The escalation of deportations is already impacting the American political scene. The government says it is “restoring order at the borders.” Critics accuse Washington of promoting mass expulsions without humanitarian criteria. Economists warn of the risk of collapse in sectors that depend on immigrant labor, such as agriculture, construction and services.
“Shortly reducing the number of immigrants creates instability,” said economist Robert Callahan, from Georgetown University.
Irregular population continues to break records
Even with the mass departures, the Pew Research Center estimates that there are still more than 16 million immigrants without legal status in the United States — the highest number on record. Much of it arrived via the southern border, fleeing economic crises and authoritarian regimes in Latin America.
Impact among Brazilians
monitor the situation. It is estimated that around five thousand Brazilians will have already left the USA in 2025 — some deported, some voluntarily leaving. The Brazilian government monitors cases of families with children born on American soil and tries to guarantee consular support for repatriates. Meanwhile, millions of people remain in uncertainty — trying to survive, work and keep the American dream alive.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
