Deportation Flights Under Trump Hit Monthly High, Surpassing Biden-Era Peak

The data, compiled by Witness at the Border, reveals a 10% increase from May 2025, and a 54% jump compared to the six-month average. In all, since Trump took office in late January, the administration has carried out 829 deportation flights—a 12% increase over the same period in 2024.

"It's hard to say for certain, but 115 people per plane is a reasonable estimate," said the report's author Thomas Cartwright to Noticias Telemundo, suggesting around 190,000 individuals may have been deported via ICE Air since Trump's return to office.

The stury revealed that half of June's flights were directed to Guatemala (51), Honduras (43), and El Salvador (22). Flights to these Northern Triangle countries saw steep increases compared to May. In contrast, deportation flights to Mexico dropped from 30 to 17.

At least 10 flights in June were operated using U.S. military aircraft, an approach Cartwright described as rare and more costly, with lower passenger capacity compared to traditional ICE-chartered flights. Military flights reportedly carry 70–80 individuals, while commercial ICE flights typically transport between 115–135.

Despite the uptick, deportations to some key destinations remain below 2024 levels. For example, Guatemala received 17,147 nationals between January and June 22, 2025, down from 33,553 during the same period the previous year. However, Honduras saw an increase, with 17,000 deported so far this year compared to 15,000 under Biden during the same timeframe.

Trump's July 4 fiscal legislation allocated $29.9 billion to ICE enforcement and deportation operations, effectively tripling the agency's annual budget. As interior enforcement ramps up, experts warn the administration's goal of deporting one million people in a year faces logistical and legal obstacles.