The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) expresses serious concern over the growing gap between public statements about immigration enforcement in the United States and the actual figures documented in official government records. Recent analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), based on case-by-case information obtained through successful litigation under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), indicates that immigration removals under President Donald Trump’s second administration have not increased in the manner often suggested by political statements and public perception.
According to TRAC’s analysis of the Department of Homeland Security’s Enforcement Integrated Database (EID), 30,893 individuals were recorded as removed during January 2025, the first full month of the second Trump administration. By July 2026, the latest full month covered in the figures supplied by TRAC, the number had declined to 26,908. This represents a decrease of approximately 13 percent.
These figures raise important questions about the effectiveness, priorities and actual outcomes of the administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Despite the reassignment of personnel from other agencies, additional enforcement resources and the substantial funding provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the monthly number of formal removals remained below the January 2025 level.
TRAC’s historical analysis also indicates that the highest annual number of removals occurred during fiscal year 2024, the final full fiscal year of the Biden administration. Furthermore, the number of removals recorded during the latest 12-month period under the Trump administration was lower than the annual figures recorded in every fiscal year from 2008 through 2016.
NAPA believes that the distinction between formal removals and other forms of departure must be clearly explained to the public. A formal removal can carry legal consequences, including restrictions on returning to the United States for a specified period. By contrast, voluntary departures and voluntary returns do not necessarily carry the same legal consequences. Combining these different categories under the general term of deportations can create a misleading impression unless the figures are properly explained.
TRAC’s figures further indicate that total deportations, when formal removals, voluntary departures and voluntary returns are combined, reached 42,399 in July 2026, compared with 26,908 formal removals. Formal removals accounted for approximately 63 percent of the total, while voluntary departures represented 31 percent and voluntary returns approximately 6 percent.
NAPA is particularly concerned about the implications of these developments for Punjabi and Sikh immigrant families living in the United States. Many members of the Punjabi and Sikh diaspora have built their lives through years of hard work, employment, education, business activities and community service. Immigration enforcement must not become a source of unnecessary fear, confusion or uncertainty for families whose cases deserve individual and lawful consideration.
The increase in voluntary departures ordered by immigration judges also deserves careful examination. TRAC suggests that the rise may be associated with increased asylum denials, faster removal proceedings and the denial of bond to detained individuals. The use of stipulated procedures that may waive an immigration court hearing also raises questions about whether individuals fully understand their legal rights and the consequences of their decisions.
NAPA emphasizes that immigration laws must be implemented fairly, transparently and consistently with due process. Every individual facing removal should have a meaningful opportunity to understand the allegations, obtain appropriate legal assistance and present their case before the competent authorities. No person should be pressured into surrendering legal rights because of detention, uncertainty or lack of access to legal representation.
NAPA also urges immigration authorities to publish clear, regularly updated and properly classified enforcement statistics. The American public, immigrant communities and policymakers deserve to know how many individuals are formally removed, how many depart voluntarily and how many are returned through other procedures. These categories should never be presented as interchangeable.
Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, stated:
“Immigration enforcement should be measured by verified facts, not political slogans or public perception. The TRAC figures demonstrate why transparency and accurate reporting are essential. Our concern is not to oppose lawful immigration enforcement, but to ensure that the rights, dignity and legal protections of Punjabi and Sikh immigrant families are respected. Every immigration case involves human lives, families and futures. Enforcement must therefore be accompanied by fairness, accountability and due process.”
NAPA calls upon the United States government, immigration authorities and elected representatives to ensure that immigration policies are implemented with humanity, transparency and respect for constitutional and legal protections. Protecting the rights of immigrant communities is not contrary to the rule of law; it is an essential part of it.
Issued by:
Satnam Singh Chahal
Executive Director
North American Punjabi Association (NAPA)
Milpitas, California, USA
Source: TRAC analysis of DHS Enforcement Integrated Database records obtained through FOIA litigation. Figures cited are based on records current through August 24, 2026.
Disclaimer: This statement is based on the cited research and publicly available information. The views expressed are those of NAPA.