Self Deportation Numbers Surprise Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons [WATCH]

Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons said the agency is seeing a surge in voluntary self-deportations as part of a new initiative launched under the Trump administration.

Lyons made the remarks during an appearance Wednesday night on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, where he discussed the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat illegal immigration and expand enforcement measures.

In March, DHS rolled out a program using the CBP Home app, which allows illegal migrants to voluntarily remove themselves from the United States or face formal deportation and a permanent ban on re-entry.

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The initiative is part of a broader strategy by ICE and the Trump administration to streamline removals and reduce the strain on detention facilities.

“We’re actually seeing more people self-deport than we thought we would,” Lyons said.

“We’re offering these with inside the detention facilities. We were just down with the president, Secretary Noem, and Governor DeSantis at Alligator Alcatraz.”

Lyons referred to Alligator Alcatraz, the recently completed ICE detention facility in Florida capable of holding up to 5,000 individuals with final deportation orders.

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The center is part of a larger Trump administration initiative to accelerate deportation timelines and increase enforcement pressure on sanctuary jurisdictions.

According to Lyons, the self-deportation approach offers a practical alternative to traditional detention.

“We have that available for individuals to self-deport there instead of being locked up,” he said.

“The safe and most humane way to go. And it gives them the opportunity to come back legally.”

As criticism of immigration enforcement continues from left-wing officials and activist judges, Lyons emphasized that ICE is pressing forward with its mission.

“We didn’t let Mayor Bass stop us,” he said, referencing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s ongoing refusal to cooperate with ICE.

“We’re continuing that mission daily right now. And we’re still going to focus on all these sanctuary jurisdictions and all of these places where these left activist judges are trying to rule and shut down ICE, but we’re not going to walk away.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced incentives for migrants who choose to self-deport using the CBP Home app.

These include a complimentary flight back to their home country, a $1,000 stipend upon departure, and the forgiveness of any existing deportation-related fines.

The incentives are part of a cost-effective approach designed to encourage cooperation and reduce the financial burden of enforcement actions.

Those who decline the self-deportation option and are apprehended by federal agents face detention at facilities like Alligator Alcatraz.

The center was backed by both President Donald Trump and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier as part of their shared focus on public safety and expedited removals.

One proposal under review includes appointing National Guard members as temporary immigration judges to reduce case backlogs.

Lyons concluded the interview by reaffirming ICE’s alignment with President Trump’s immigration agenda.

“This is what the president wanted, this is what the American people wanted, and ICE is going to make America safe again,” he said.

The self-deportation program and broader enforcement strategy come as part of a nationwide effort to address illegal immigration through a combination of deterrence, incentives, and legal reform.

ICE officials have said additional updates on the program’s metrics and expansion may be announced in the coming weeks.