If you or a loved one has breached immigration deportation law by entering the United States illegally or having overstayed in this country from the time that was allowed on your visa, you are very likely to be put into deportation proceedings. If this is the case and you currently are in removal/deportation proceedings or you have recently received a Notice to Appear listing the allegations made against you by the Department of Homeland Security, and the location of the Immigration court hearing scheduled to address your case and any potential relief available. If any of the above scenarios applies to you, you MUST contact a trusted immigration attorney specializing in immigration law at once. Once you are involved in a removal proceeding meaning that you violated US immigration law, things get a lot more complicated. A wrong move has the potential of getting you deported or even worse expeditedly removed (deported without a hearing!) The good news is that there are several forms of relief to individuals who violate the US immigration laws. However, these forms of relief from deportation are complex. That is why I cannot stress the fact you need to contact an attorney specializing in immigration law as soon as possible. Don’t take on the Department of Homeland Security alone! Immigration attorneys who specialize in removal proceedings and immigration law are familiar with the sorts of relief and waivers available to some individuals and the numerous requirements to prove eligibility for such relief. The Executive Office of Immigration Review website includes a list of forms. NOTE: As I already indicated above, REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS ARE EXTREMELY COMPLEX and violations of immigration law require representation from an immigration attorney who SPECIALIZES in immigration law and deportation hearings. You would be doing yourself a great disservice if you do not at least consult with an immigration attorney prior to attending your removal hearing in immigration court.
ICE Current Detentions and Deportations This page is meant to give you an informative insight into the potential consequences of violating US immigration deportation laws and the current enforcement of deportation orders going on in the United States. As you can read from other places on this webpage, ICE has been given much more funding to enforce deportation orders in the form of arrests and detentions in immigration detention centers around the United States. As part of its efforts to have and enforce a comprehensive immigration reform bill, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently focusing enforcement efforts on locating and removing criminal aliens, building strong worksite compliance programs and sanctions and arrests of employers to deter illegal employment, and uprooting the criminal infrastructure that supports illegal migration.
In May and June of 2006, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 2,100 criminal aliens, gang members, fugitives, and other immigration violators in a nationwide interior enforcement operation. Among the roughly 2,179 individuals arrested, about half had criminal records for crimes that ranged from sexual assault of a minor to assault with a deadly weapon. About 367 of those arrested were members of associates of violent street gangs. 640 were fugitive aliens who had been issued FINAL ORDERS OF REMOVAL by an immigration judge but had failed to leave the US. Since March of 2003, ICE Fugitive Operations Teams have arrested more than 42,000 aliens, 31,000 of which were fugitives. Since 2001, the number of ICE Immigration investigators has increased by 25%. Most importantly, ICE has expanded its fugitive operations teams from 35 to 52 in 2006 and the President’s budget for fiscal year 2007 seeks funding to increase that number to a total of 70 teams.
Immigration deportation enforcement in late 2025 is active on both sides of the border: in the United States, ICE (especially ERO) continues to carry out arrests, detention, and removals at scale, while in Canada, CBSA continues steady removals and publishes detailed, current removal statistics and inventories.
This updated guide explains what “deportation/removal enforcement” really looks like today in the US and Canada, what typically triggers enforcement, what happens after a notice or arrest, and how to protect rights and options early—without assuming every case is the same.
The core idea
Deportation (US) or removal (Canada) is not a single event—it is a process that usually starts with an allegation that a person is removable (for example, unlawful entry, overstay, status violation, criminality, or misrepresentation), and then moves through detention decisions, hearings/appeals, and finally enforcement.
Because the consequences can include detention, forced departure, multi‑year or permanent re‑entry bans, and family separation, the safest move in both countries is to get advice from a lawyer who regularly handles removal defense (not just “paperwork” immigration).
US vs Canada at a glance
| Topic | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Main enforcement agency | ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) for arrests, detention, removals. | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for arrests, detention, removals. |
| Court/tribunal path | Removal proceedings are heard in EOIR immigration court, and detained individuals may seek a bond hearing where eligible. | Detention is reviewed by the Immigration Division (IRB), with strict timelines (48 hours, then 7 days, then every 30 days). |
| Public, recent scale (illustrative) | ICE reported 271,484 removals in FY 2024 and 113,431 ERO arrests. | CBSA reported 17,357 removals in 2024 and 18,785 in 2025 (calendar year totals on its removals statistics page). |
| Removal order “types” | Varies by procedure (immigration judge order, expedited processes, etc.). | Departure, Exclusion, Deportation orders (different re‑entry rules). |
What “enforcement” looks like in the US now
Public ICE reporting shows enforcement is driven by a mix of interior operations and border-related workload, rather than only one “type” of target. In FY 2024, ICE reported ERO removed 271,484 noncitizens to 192 countries and conducted 113,431 administrative arrests.
Key practical takeaways:
- US enforcement often moves fast once a person is in custody, so waiting “until the court date” can be risky if bond, custody classification, or filing deadlines are missed.
- ICE has invested in systems meant to manage large caseloads and communication (for example, ICE Portal for non-detained check-ins and court hearing info).
What “enforcement” looks like in Canada now
CBSA states its removals program focuses on removing people without legal right to stay and publishes year-by-year statistics (including quarterly 2025 data). On CBSA’s published totals, removals increased from 15,207 (2023) to 17,357 (2024) and 18,785 (2025 calendar-year total shown on the same page).
Key practical takeaways:
- Canada’s enforcement is strongly “inventory-managed”: CBSA also publishes a national removals inventory broken into categories like “wanted” and “removal in progress.”
- CBSA’s published “wanted inventory” figure is 33,190, and the overall removals tracking inventory total shown is 556,690.
Common triggers in both countries
While laws differ, the same real-life patterns often lead to enforcement attention in the US and Canada:
- Entry issues: unlawful entry, entry without inspection, or entry using incorrect/false information.
- Overstay and status problems: remaining after permitted stay, working without authorization, or violating study/work permit conditions.
- Criminal charges/convictions: even without a jail sentence, a conviction can change detention risk and removability analysis.
- “Paper trail” inconsistencies: address updates not filed, missed appointments, missed hearings, or conflicting statements across applications and interviews.
In both countries, the most dangerous moment is usually when something becomes “official”: an arrest, a written allegation/notice, or a missed hearing that leads to a removal order being issued.
If a Notice to Appear arrives (US)
In the US, removal proceedings typically begin when DHS files a Notice to Appear (NTA) with allegations and schedules (or later sets) immigration court proceedings before EOIR. If a person is detained, a separate custody/bond track may exist, and the bond hearing is not the same thing as the main removal case.
Practical steps to take quickly:
- Collect and save all documents: passport biographic page, I‑94, prior immigration filings, criminal dispositions, and proof of address and family ties.
- Confirm where the case is pending and whether there is an upcoming hearing (mistakes in address or notice delivery cause avoidable “in absentia” orders).
- Ask counsel about eligibility for relief (asylum-related options, cancellation, adjustment strategies, waivers), because strategy changes depending on the NTA allegations and the person’s history.
If detention happens (US bond basics)
EOIR guidance explains that a bond hearing can be requested and that the request may be made in writing (and sometimes orally during another hearing), and EOIR also notes there is no filing fee to request a bond hearing. EOIR further explains the immigration judge considers eligibility first, and then factors like danger, likelihood of appearing, and national security risk when setting bond or denying release.
Important cautions:
- Not everyone is bond-eligible, and some categories face mandatory detention or limited custody review options, so it is crucial to assess eligibility before assuming release is available.
- A weak bond presentation can hurt, because detention makes it harder to gather records and coordinate witnesses—so preparation matters.
If detention happens (Canada detention review timelines)
In Canada, detention for immigration reasons is reviewed through the Immigration Division (IRB) under strict statutory deadlines. IRPA section 57 requires a detention review within 48 hours (or without delay after), another review within the next 7 days, and then at least every 30 days while detention continues.
What typically happens at a detention review:
- CBSA presents why detention should continue, and the detained person (or counsel) argues for release or conditions.
- The IRB process allows release with conditions, including a bond (cash deposit) or reporting requirements, depending on the risk assessment.
Removal order types and re-entry impact (Canada)
CBSA explains three Canadian removal order types: departure orders, exclusion orders, and deportation orders, and the re-entry consequences differ substantially. For example, CBSA states a departure order generally requires leaving within 30 days, and failure to comply can turn it into a deportation order.
Planning implications:
- Re-entry strategy (and whether Authorization to Return to Canada is needed) depends on the type of order, how it was enforced, and whether the person complied properly with proof of departure.
“Self-departure” is not always simple (Canada)
CBSA’s removals statistics distinguish different enforcement methods, including confirmed departure from Canada and “administrative removals” where CBSA records that a person left based on evidence. Because future admissibility can turn on whether the departure was properly documented, leaving Canada “quietly” without correct confirmation can create problems later when trying to return.
A realistic view of relief options
Relief is not a single form—it is a menu of possible defenses and applications, and it changes based on facts like entry history, prior refusals, family ties, criminal records, and credibility. In both countries, the earlier a case is assessed, the more options typically exist (because deadlines have not passed and evidence is easier to collect).
Examples of common categories counsel evaluates:
- Protection-based claims (risk on return, persecution, humanitarian factors).
- Family-based strategies (where available and legally consistent with the person’s history).
- Waivers/rehabilitation concepts (where the law provides a pathway).
- Procedural defenses (notice problems, jurisdiction/filing issues, incorrect allegations).
Workplace enforcement and status compliance
US and Canadian enforcement both intersect with employment, because unauthorized work and document inconsistencies create exposure during audits, tips, or investigations. ICE’s annual report emphasizes that ICE enforces a wide range of statutes and uses data-driven enforcement, reflecting that immigration enforcement can overlap with broader criminal investigations (for example, trafficking, fraud, and other offenses).
Practical compliance habits that reduce risk:
- Keep copies of all status documents and track expiry dates (including I‑94/work authorization in the US, and permit conditions in Canada).
- Update addresses promptly and keep proof of submission.
- Do not “patch” gaps with inconsistent paperwork—misrepresentation findings can be more damaging than the original problem.
What to do in the first 72 hours
If enforcement has already started (NTA served, removal order issued, detention, or CBSA/ICE contact), early actions often make the biggest difference.
Immediate checklist (US and Canada):
- Do not sign anything not understood; ask for interpretation where needed.
- Write down the timeline: entries/exits, addresses, work history, arrests/charges, prior applications.
- Ask family to collect identity documents, court papers, and immigration letters and store them in a single folder.
- Identify potential witnesses and proof of ties (children’s records, leases, tax filings, medical letters).
- Retain counsel experienced in removal defense and detention work (bond/detention reviews are specialized skill sets).
Policy signals to watch (late 2025)
In the US, formal direction to DHS components can shift enforcement emphasis, including prioritization of final removal orders, which affects how quickly old cases can become active again. Policy tracking notes that EO 14159 (announced January 20, 2025) directs DHS to enable ICE, CBP, and USCIS to set civil immigration enforcement priorities, including successful enforcement of final orders of removal.
In Canada, CBSA’s regularly updated removals statistics and inventory reporting provide one of the clearest indicators of enforcement activity and capacity constraints (for example, removals totals and “wanted” inventory).
A final, practical warning
Removal cases are often lost not because the person had “no options,” but because deadlines, custody strategy, or evidence were mishandled early—especially while detained. If a case involves detention, criminal allegations, prior removals, or any past misrepresentation issue, getting advice early is not just helpful—it is often the difference between release and prolonged detention, and between relief and a final order.
What country are you focusing on right now (US or Canada), and is the issue an overstay/status violation, a border entry issue, or a criminal-related matter?