For the first time in five decades, the United States may see more people leaving the country than arriving, signaling a dramatic shift in immigration trends, according to a new report.
While the Trump administration is likely to view the figures as a success amid its ongoing immigration crackdown, experts warn the trend could carry negative economic consequences — though most Americans have been very supportive of President Trump’s deportation efforts.
In comments to The Washington Post, analysts pointed to the surge in deportations—driven in part by recent workplace raids that sparked protests in Los Angeles and other cities—as a major factor behind the shift. However, they cautioned that a net outflow of immigrants could contribute to rising inflation, a concern already heightened by Trump’s tariff policies, though economic reports from May indicate that inflation is falling.
“If you are present in the United States illegally, you will be deported. This is the promise President Trump made to the American people, and the Administration is committed to keeping it,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said last week, per FirstPost.com.
The foreign-born workforce in the U.S. has already fallen by about 1 million people, according to Labor Dept. data cited by the Washington Post.
This week, the president directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to redouble efforts to locate and apprehend people in the country illegally, concentrating on those who have been convicted or accused of committing crimes.
“Our Nation’s ICE Officers have shown incredible strength, determination, and courage as they facilitate a very important mission, the largest Mass Deportation Operation of Illegal Aliens in History. Every day, the Brave Men and Women of ICE are subjected to violence, harassment, and even threats from Radical Democrat Politicians, but nothing will stop us from executing our mission, and fulfilling our Mandate to the American People,” he wrote on Truth Social. “ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.
“In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside. These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens,” he added.
“These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it! There is something wrong with them. That is why they believe in Open Borders, Transgender for Everybody, and Men playing in Women’s Sports — And that is why I want ICE, Border Patrol, and our Great and Patriotic Law Enforcement Officers, to FOCUS on our crime ridden and deadly Inner Cities, and those places where Sanctuary Cities play such a big role. You don’t hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!” the president continued.
“I want our Brave ICE Officers to know that REAL Americans are cheering you on every day. The American People want our Cities, Schools, and Communities to be SAFE and FREE from Illegal Alien Crime, Conflict, and Chaos. That’s why I have directed my entire Administration to put every resource possible behind this effort, and reverse the tide of Mass Destruction Migration that has turned once Idyllic Towns into scenes of Third World Dystopia,” Trump wrote.
“Our Federal Government will continue to be focused on the REMIGRATION of Aliens to the places from where they came, and preventing the admission of ANYONE who undermines the domestic tranquility of the United States,” he said.
