Oversight Project Initiates Additional Investigation for Deportation Data
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2026
Washington, D.C.– Despite being twenty months into the Administration, the Department of Homeland Security still has not released deportation data. In July, the Oversight Project sued for the release of such data. Currently, the Department of Justice is using taxpayer money to continue defending the Department of Homeland Security in withholding that information in this case, despite many claims being made to the press regarding figures of deportation without supporting data. Since the July lawsuit is regarding data up until May 2026, the Oversight Project is beginning another investigation into data from May to present day. If this data is not released within the statutory timeline, we will again litigate. We will continue this practice until detailed deportation data is released to the public, as it used to be, without litigation.
There have been many claims made by the government and a network of influencers inflating and conflating deportation figures. The public deserves better, particularly as it relates to President Trump’s signature campaign promise to “carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.”
This investigation and litigation followed the Mass Deportation Coalition’s playbook release on March 30, 2026 which laid out a series of policy recommendations to deport at least 1 million illegal aliens in calendar year 2026 so that progress could be established towards deporting all illegal aliens in the United States. Two of the five key principles of the Mass Deportation Coalition directly relate to this initiative: regular and complete data transparency as well as meaningfully defining ICE interior removals as the standard for deportation claims.
Mike Howell, President of the Oversight Project and a leader of the Mass Deportation Coalition, offered the following quote:
“In the words of the Wolf of Wall Street, ‘I’m not leaving’ this issue.”The mass deportation agenda should be celebrated, not censored and covered-up. Returning illegal aliens home and sovereignty to our Nation is one of the most important things the Trump Administration can do, particularly after Biden opened our borders to millions upon millions. It is not enough just to secure the border for now. We need to undo the damage. I know that special interests, RINOs, and the consultant class want to run away from the campaign promise, but I don’t care. We need the data to show what’s going on, and not happy talk figures thrown around on the Internet.”
Jeff Clark, Vice President of Litigation at the Oversight Project:
“It is deeply troubling that the Department of Justice is using taxpayer dollars to defend the Department of Homeland Security in withholding deportation data from the public. Transparency and accountability are required by law, not endless legal maneuvering and delays. We will continue to aggressively pursue this litigation in federal court until the government produces the complete, unvarnished facts to the American people. Let me say it plainly: We. Need. The. Data.”
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We asked RNC Midterm Convention Attendees if they want mass deportation. Here’s what they had to say: https://x.com/Phase2Deport/status/2099907844451496448
https://x.com/Phase2Deport/status/2098239703342371075
https://x.com/Phase2Deport/status/2098238332622811526
https://x.com/Phase2Deport/status/2097892740532981822
https://x.com/Phase2Deport/status/2097891775461445821
Op-eds from President Mike Howell:
Trump’s Mass Deportation Promise Needs Receipts
‘Phase one’ was quality control. ‘Phase two’ needs to be quantity control.