Crime Drops to Record Lows After DHS Removals of Criminals

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that violent and property crime rates across the country hit historic lows in 2026, crediting the decline to a surge in federal deportations and removals of criminal non-citizens.

According to DHS data, the national violent crime rate fell to its lowest level since the agency began tracking such statistics in 1990, while property crime reached a similar milestone. The department said removals of non-citizens with criminal convictions or pending charges increased by 40 percent compared to the previous year.

DHS officials pointed to targeted operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a key factor, noting that more than 250,000 criminal non-citizens were removed from the country during the fiscal year. The agency said these individuals accounted for a disproportionate share of offenses in several major metropolitan areas.

The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over immigration enforcement policies. Critics have questioned the direct causal link between removals and crime rates, citing broader economic and social factors. However, DHS Secretary Maria Torres said the data is clear, stating, 'When we remove those who break our laws, our communities become safer.'

The department plans to continue its enforcement priorities, focusing on individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Full crime statistics by state and city are expected to be released in the coming months.