Crime Drops to Record Lows After DHS Removals of Criminals

DHS data show that removals of non-citizens with criminal convictions or pending charges increased by 40% over the previous year, totaling more than 250,000 individuals. The agency said these removals targeted individuals convicted of offenses including assault, burglary, and drug trafficking.

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program, which compiles data from law enforcement agencies nationwide, confirmed the drop. Violent crime fell by 12% and property crime by 9% compared to 2025, reaching the lowest levels since the FBI began tracking these statistics in the 1960s.

DHS officials said the removals were part of a broader strategy to prioritize public safety, working with local police and federal partners to identify and deport non-citizens with criminal records. The agency noted that the decline was observed across all regions of the country, including major cities and rural areas.

Critics have questioned whether the drop can be solely attributed to removals, pointing to other factors such as economic conditions and community policing. However, DHS Secretary Maria Torres defended the policy, stating that 'the evidence is clear that removing criminal aliens makes our communities safer.'