The Intelligence from The Economist
The Intelligence from The Economist

Ire and ICE: the toll of America’s deportations

September 3, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Ire and ICE: the toll of America’s deportations

Donald Trump campaigned on mass deportation, and since taking office for a second term in January 2025, his administration has followed through—but the strategy has shifted dramatically from the high-profile raids that defined the early months. The Department of Homeland Security claims that roughly a million people have been deported and another 2.2 million have left voluntarily, though official removal statistics have not been published. What is clear is the direction: in July alone, ICE arrested 50,000 people, a record for the agency, and immigration judges are issuing removal orders at an unprecedented pace.

The quiet, targeted campaign

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:48) **The Deportation Campaign: From Promises to Reality** - Donald Trump’s promised mass deportation campaign is now underway, but the strategy has shifted from high-profile raids to a quieter, more effective dragnet.
  • 2 (05:22) **The Minneapolis Effect and the Shift to Quiet Enforcement** - After the violent and highly visible Minneapolis raids, the administration changed tactics to avoid public backlash while maintaining aggressive enforcement.
  • 3 (06:57) **The Overwhelmed Immigration Court System** - After arrest, immigrants face a dysfunctional court system designed to process removals as quickly as possible, often without fair representation.
  • 4 (08:22) **Public Opinion and the Midterm Election Threat** - The deportation campaign is becoming a political liability, especially among Hispanic voters who helped elect Trump, potentially reshaping the upcoming midterm elections.
  • 5 (10:12) **Ad Break** - Sponsored content.
  • 6 (11:52) **Reddit's Identity Crisis in the Age of AI** - Reddit, a unique hybrid of social media and old-school forum, faces a business model crisis as AI-generated search results threaten its traffic and revenue.
  • 7 (14:23) **Why Reddit's Data is the Golden Goose for AI** - Reddit’s treasure trove of authentic, human-generated product reviews is incredibly valuable for training AI chatbots, but selling that data may undermine its own business.

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Show Notes

Donald Trump’s stance on immigration helped him win the presidency. Our correspondent asks if a backlash against the campaign could damage Republican midterm prospects. Reddit is struggling in an age of AI. And the enduring beauty of the Bayeux tapestry.


Guests and host:

  • Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent
  • Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
  • Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
  • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
  • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”


Topics covered: 

  • Deportation, ICE, immigration, Minneapolis
  • Reddit, Google, AI
  • Bayeux tapestry, 1066, British Museum


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