Over 4.6 Million Immigrants Removed or Expelled from U.S. Since Early 2021, Exceeding Houston's Population

Washington D.C. – A recent social media post by conservative commentator Bill Mitchell has drawn attention to the significant number of immigrants who have departed the United States under the current administration. Mitchell's tweet, posted on November 22, 2025, claimed, > "Since taking office, the equivalent of the entire city of Houston in immigrants have left the country!" This statement refers to a figure exceeding Houston's estimated population of approximately 2.39 million residents.

Official government data indicates that over 4.6 million immigrants have been removed or expelled from the United States between January 2021 and November 2024. This comprehensive figure includes both formal deportations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Title 8 authority and expulsions conducted under the Title 42 public health order, which was largely in effect until May 2023. The total number of departures significantly surpasses the population of Houston, highlighting the scale of immigration enforcement actions.

While the early period of the administration saw a dip in traditional ICE deportations, numbers have steadily climbed. ICE deportations, which primarily involve individuals apprehended within the U.S. interior, reached 59,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, 72,000 in FY 2022, and 143,000 in FY 2023. By FY 2024, ICE deportations surged to 271,484, marking the highest annual total since 2014 and exceeding the peak year of the previous administration.

The increase in removals and expulsions reflects a shift in immigration policy, particularly after the expiration of Title 42. From May 2023 through March 2024, the administration removed or returned 775,000 unauthorized migrants under Title 8, the standard immigration framework. This intensified enforcement effort comes amid unprecedented numbers of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, with authorities encountering unauthorized migrants approximately 9.4 million times between FY 2021 and February 2024.

Bill Mitchell, known for his pro-Donald Trump stance and for disseminating conspiracy theories, often comments on immigration issues. His tweet underscores a key talking point in ongoing debates surrounding border security and immigration enforcement. The substantial number of departures reflects the complex and evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy and its operational impact.