ICE deported 174 Daca recipients, revealing enforcement under Trump administration

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 174 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) recipients between January and September 2025, as stated by acting director Todd Lyons in a letter to Congress. During the same period, 270 Daca recipients were arrested, highlighting the agency's enforcement actions under the Trump administration.

The letter from Lyons provides clarity on the number of Daca recipients targeted for deportation, which had been previously obscured by conflicting information from former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The deportations represent a significant push against the Daca program, established in 2012, which allows undocumented immigrants who arrived as children to live and work in the US with certain protections. Delia Ramirez, an Illinois congressional representative, criticized the deportations as evidence of a “white nationalist agenda” and called for the abolition of ICE and DHS.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that an additional 73 Daca recipients were arrested between late September and mid-November 2025, bringing the total number of arrests to at least 343. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that Daca does not confer legal status and that many arrested individuals had been charged with crimes. This enforcement strategy aligns with the Trump administration's commitment to target undocumented immigrants, including those previously protected under different administrations.

Power Read: The deportation of Daca recipients underlines a strategic shift in immigration enforcement, reinforcing the Trump administration's hardline stance on undocumented immigrants. This move not only exposes the vulnerabilities of Daca recipients but also signals a broader intent to dismantle protections established under previous administrations. As the administration continues to target individuals with deportation protections, it risks alienating a significant segment of the population that has been integrated into American society.

What to watch: Monitor upcoming legislative discussions regarding immigration reform and potential changes to the Daca program as the political landscape evolves.