Over 2,000 known or suspected terrorists have been removed from the United States since 2025.

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Between January 2025 and September 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intensified efforts to locate and deport individuals identified as known or suspected terrorists. This operation, conducted under the current administration, resulted in thousands of arrests and removals, highlighting a focused national security initiative aimed at preventing future domestic attacks.

The Department of Homeland Security has reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully removed 2,015 individuals categorized as known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) from the country between January 20, 2025, and September 9, 2026. During this same timeframe, federal agents arrested more than 2,150 individuals meeting these criteria. These figures were confirmed by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who emphasized that these actions are part of a broader mandate to ensure public safety and maintain vigilance against potential threats.

The enforcement actions include the apprehension of individuals linked to various international criminal and terrorist organizations. For instance, authorities arrested Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez in Omaha, Nebraska, following allegations that he led a plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event. Similarly, Felipe Linares De Oliveira Dell Aquilla, a former commander of two designated foreign terrorist organizations, was taken into custody in North Carolina while holding his wife hostage. Other cases involve members of the Tren de Aragua organization, including Keiber Jaen Martinez, Samuel Gonzalez Castro, Eferson Gabriel Morillo-Gomez, and Keineyer Ibarra-Mujica, who were involved in criminal activities such as a 2024 double murder in the Bronx.

These removals underscore a shift in immigration enforcement priorities, particularly regarding individuals who entered the country under previous administrations. Many of those deported had previously been released or granted status, such as DACA, before being identified as security risks. The administration frames these deportations as a critical component of its commitment to national security, specifically referencing the importance of preventing any recurrence of the events of September 11, 2001. By targeting these specific individuals, the government aims to mitigate risks associated with foreign terrorist organizations operating within U.S. borders.

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