Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that more than 1.6 million illegal immigrants have voluntarily left the United States since President Donald J. Trump returned to office — a stunning reversal of the unchecked border crisis that defined the Biden years.

“In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population. This is massive,” Noem declared on X. “This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you @POTUS Trump!”

Noem praised the turnaround as proof of Trump’s decisive leadership: “This is exactly the genius of Donald J. Trump,” she said in a video posted to social media. “When he was elected in November, he knew he had to make America safe again.”

Appointed to head DHS, Noem explained that her role was to broadcast a simple, firm message worldwide: “No longer will we tolerate people being in our country illegally and they need to go home. The world got the message. They’re leaving on their own, which is the best thing for American citizens.”

As illegal immigrants depart, Noem said the benefits are already being felt. “2.5 million Americans became employed in the last six-seven months,” she noted. “That’s incredible growth for U.S. citizens that will benefit their families and the people who love this country, who were born here, who want to be employed and now have new opportunities for success.”

A DHS press release highlighted several policy actions driving the exodus:

• A multimillion-dollar international ad campaign warning illegals to “LEAVE NOW” or face arrest and deportation.
• The termination of the CBP One App, which under Biden had allowed more than a million illegal aliens to cross the border. The app has since been repurposed to help facilitate voluntary departures, even offering $1,000 cash and a free flight home for those who self-deport.
• A dramatic reduction in immigration judges who had routinely obstructed deportations. Roughly 50 activist judges were dismissed, ending the era of courtroom sabotage.

The DHS statement underscored the results: “The rapid decline in the illegal immigrant population is already being felt nationwide, from reduced strain on public services to a resurgence in local job markets.”

According to DHS data, the illegal immigrant population surged from 10.2 million in 2021 under Biden to 15.8 million by the time Trump took office in January 2025. In barely six months, Trump’s policies have already cut into that figure.

Some dismissed judges are now venting publicly, claiming retaliation. El País reported on one Chicago judge, Jennifer Peyton, who received her termination email on July 4 while on vacation. Despite positive performance reviews, she was among those let go. The administration’s stance is clear: activist judges who bend the law to benefit illegal immigrants will no longer hold power in the courtroom.

For many Americans, the message is unmistakable: under Trump, the United States is once again a nation of borders, laws, and accountability.