There is credible evidence that ICE has mistakenly deported some U.S. Citizens, including children, though these cases are relatively rare and often involve complex legal and procedural errors rather than intentional illegal deportation.
Mostly True
ICE is illegally deporting US citizens
Jayapal Introduces Legislation to End ICE Targeting of US Citizens - Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
Source: jayapal.house.gov
At a glance
Verified August 10, 2025Key Evidence
PBS News reported ICE deported three children who were U.S. Citizens along with their mothers.
pbs.orgpbs.orgICE deported 3 children who are U.S. citizens, their families’ lawyers say
The American Immigration Council found ICE wrongly identified thousands of U.S. Citizens as removable between 2002 and 2017, with about 70 deportations in the last five years.
americanimmigrationcouncil.orgamericanimmigrationcouncil.orgICE May Have Deported as Many as 70 US Citizens In the Last Five Years
Legislation introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal aims to block ICE from detaining or deporting U.S. Citizens due to these errors.
jayapal.house.govjayapal.house.govJayapal Introduces Legislation to End ICE Targeting of US Citizens
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple reports and legal cases document instances where ICE has deported individuals who were U.S. Citizens, including young children.pbs.orgpbs.orgICE deported 3 children who are U.S. citizens, their families’ lawyers say These incidents typically arise from errors in identification or documentation.
Data analyzed by immigration watchdogs indicate that thousands of U.S. Citizens have been wrongly flagged for removal over the past two decades, with estimates of around 70 deportations in recent years.americanimmigrationcouncil.orgamericanimmigrationcouncil.orgICE May Have Deported as Many as 70 US Citizens In the Last Five Years
These cases have prompted legislative efforts to prevent ICE from detaining or deporting U.S. Citizens, reflecting concerns about racial profiling and procedural failures within ICE operations.jayapal.house.govjayapal.house.govJayapal Introduces Legislation to End ICE Targeting of US Citizens
axios.comaxios.comBill would prevent ICE from detaining or deporting US citizens
However, official statements and legal outcomes show that some claims of illegal deportation have been challenged or dismissed, indicating that not all allegations are substantiated.dhs.govdhs.govACLU-Supported Lawsuit Over False Claims that ICE Deported U.S. Citizens Is...
ICE does not have lawful authority to detain or deport U.S. Citizens intentionally; most wrongful deportations appear to be due to mistakes or systemic issues rather than deliberate illegal actions.reddit.comreddit.comr/immigration on Reddit: Are ICE agents truly detaining LEGAL citizens? I can't...
In summary, while ICE has indeed deported U.S. Citizens in error, these are not widespread or officially sanctioned practices but rather serious mistakes that have led to calls for reform and oversight.
Primary trail
Verified Sources7
Open source