ICE Hits 100,000 Removals in FY 2026: What It Means for You
What if ICE has already arrested someone in your neighborhood — and you're wondering whether you could be next? On September 10, 2026, ICE New Orleans announced it had removed its 100,000th person this fiscal year, a pace that represents a 30% jump from FY 2025. That number is not just a statistic: it signals how aggressively removal operations are running right now across the country.
What if ICE has already arrested someone in your neighborhood — and you're wondering whether you could be next? On September 10, 2026, ICE New Orleans announced it had removed its 100,000th person this fiscal year. That number represents a 30% increase over the same hub's FY 2025 total. The milestone came from the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, which alone logged 99,796 removals as of July 7, 2026.
The 100,000th removal was Mario Humberto Caal-Chop, 29, a Guatemalan national. ERO Philadelphia arrested him during a vehicle stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 19, 2026. An immigration judge granted him voluntary departure — a process where a person agrees to leave the US by a set deadline, which can last up to 120 days — on June 23, 2026. He was transferred to Louisiana on June 28 and flown to Guatemala on July 8 via charter flight. On the same day ICE announced the milestone, ERO New Orleans also removed 500 additional individuals in a single day.
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How Big Is This Enforcement Surge?
The numbers from ICE Air hubs tell a clear story. Beyond Alexandria's nearly 100,000 removals, Harlingen, Texas recorded 53,631 removals; El Paso, Texas logged 27,066; and Phoenix, Arizona processed 17,500 — all as of July 7, 2026, and not counting interior transfers. ERO New Orleans acting Field Office Director Scott Ladwig said the milestone "reflects the dedication and professionalism of our officers and staff across the ICE Air Operations network." The agency says it is coordinating with federal, state, local, and international partners to identify and remove people who violate US immigration laws.
For immigrants currently in the US — especially those with pending cases, prior orders of removal, or no legal status — this enforcement environment makes understanding your rights urgent. If an immigration judge issues a removal order against you, you have 30 days to appeal it to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If you miss that window, you may still file a Motion to Reopen your case within 90 days of the order. A Stay of Deportation (filed on Form I-246) costs $155 and can pause a removal while your case is reviewed. An appeal to the BIA using Form I-290B carries a filing fee of $800.
What to Do
- Know your appeal deadline. If a judge has issued a removal order against you, you have 30 days to appeal. Missing this deadline severely limits your options.
- Ask about voluntary departure. If you are in removal proceedings, ask your attorney whether voluntary departure — which allows up to 120 days to leave — is an option. Leaving voluntarily may preserve future immigration options that a forced removal would close off.
- File a Motion to Reopen if you missed the appeal window. You have 90 days from the removal order to file this motion. An immigration attorney can help you identify grounds, such as new evidence or changed country conditions.
- Do not open your door to ICE without seeing a warrant. You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer. Lawyers recommend you carry a know-your-rights card and have an attorney's phone number ready before any encounter with immigration officers.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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At this pace of removals, anyone with an unresolved immigration court case or a prior order of removal is at real risk. If you have a removal order — even an old one — an attorney can check whether you are eligible to reopen your case within the 90-day window or file an emergency Stay of Deportation on Form I-246. Do not wait for ICE to show up at your door; consult an immigration attorney now to understand exactly where your case stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline to appeal a removal order?
You lose the standard right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. However, you may still file a Motion to Reopen your case within 90 days of the removal order. An immigration attorney can help you decide if you have grounds — such as new evidence or a change in your home country's conditions — to file that motion.
What is voluntary departure and how is it different from deportation?
Voluntary departure means an immigration judge allows you to leave the US on your own within a set period — up to 120 days — rather than being physically removed by ICE. Leaving voluntarily may make it easier to apply for a visa or green card in the future, while a forced removal can bar you from returning for years or permanently.
Can ICE arrest me during a routine traffic stop?
Yes. The case of Mario Humberto Caal-Chop shows that ERO officers can make immigration arrests during vehicle stops. If you are stopped, you have the right to remain silent about your immigration status and the right to speak with an attorney. You are not required to sign any documents without legal counsel.
How much does it cost to appeal a removal order or request a stay of deportation?
Filing a Notice of Appeal with the BIA on Form I-290B costs $800. Requesting a Stay of Deportation on Form I-246 — which asks ICE to pause your removal while your case is reviewed — costs $155. Fee waivers may be available in some circumstances; ask an attorney whether you qualify.