Deportation Data Project is a research initiative that compiles and publishes detailed U.S. immigration enforcement and deportation statistics using government records and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The project organizes raw federal data into readable charts and reports so the public can understand how immigration policy is actually carried out in practice.
Immigration enforcement systems generate enormous amounts of data, but much of it is difficult to access, fragmented across agencies, or released in formats that are nearly impossible for the public to interpret. The Deportation Data Project translates those records into usable research, allowing advocates, journalists, and policymakers to evaluate how enforcement policies affect real people.
The database helps users analyze:
• deportation totals and trends
• detention demographics
• changes in enforcement priorities
• the impact of federal policy shifts
• regional differences in removals
For researchers and journalists, the project provides a factual foundation for reporting on immigration policy. For advocates and organizers, it offers evidence that can be used in public education, legal challenges, and policy reform efforts.
Unlike anecdotal reports, statistical evidence makes it harder for officials to deny enforcement patterns. The project is frequently used in academic research, investigative reporting, and legal advocacy.