A review of decades of immigration court data by CBS News reveals that 2025 marked a record year for voluntary departures among detained immigrants, with 28% of all completed removal cases ending in such outcomes—the highest percentage ever recorded.
This figure surpasses any previous year, reflecting a sharp uptick in detainees choosing to leave the United States voluntarily rather than pursue prolonged legal battles. The trend has been consistent, with the percentage of voluntary departures rising almost every month throughout the year.
The peak came in December 2025, when voluntary departures accounted for 38% of completed removal cases involving detainees, according to the CBS News analysis.
Contributing to this surge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities reached unprecedented levels, holding approximately 73,000 people in custody as of mid-January 2026—the highest number ever reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration lawyers interviewed in the CBS News report attributed the increase to detainees perceiving diminished prospects for success in court. Many are opting to depart quickly to avoid extended periods of incarceration, which can stretch for months or even years.
One such case highlights the personal toll of prolonged detention. An immigrant identified only by her initials, U.G., expressed relief after a judge ordered her deportation following 13 months in custody. Although she did not request voluntary departure, U.G. at one point urged her legal team to seek her removal. She is still pursuing legal pathways to appeal the deportation order.
