The Department of Homeland Security claims millions have departed the United States, but public evidence reveals minimal statistical impact. According to the Oversight Project, these figures are mathematically impossible and fail to align with the scale implied by the administration’s promises.
The group has sued the Department of Homeland Security to compel disclosure of underlying data, arguing that reported deportation numbers—specifically 3 million since January 20, 2025—lack credible support. If a population equivalent to New Mexico’s size had left, visible evidence would exist across school enrollments, rental markets, remittance flows, employment records, and border crossings.
The Oversight Project, a Trump-aligned legal organization known for exposing the autopen scandal, emphasizes that immigration enforcement has long been central to President Trump’s political platform. His pledge to conduct “the largest deportation operation in American history”—surpassing Dwight Eisenhower’s 1954 initiative—remains unfulfilled despite two and a half years of administration.
DHS data shows only about 800,000 formal deportations during the first year, while claims of 2.2 million self-deportations lack supporting evidence. The agency points to the CBP Home app, but usage reports indicate only around 72,000 users as of March—far below the claimed numbers.
The Oversight Project notes that Congress is actively advancing amnesty proposals, including the Dignidad Act and Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, which prioritize cheap labor over enforcement. These efforts risk undermining President Trump’s deportation commitments.
Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project, stated: “We do not want Trump to fail. We want him to succeed.” The lawsuit seeks transparency to resolve public skepticism about the administration’s ability to meet its deportation targets through verifiable data.
