ICE Air Operations Significantly Increase Carbon Emissions Amid Immigration Enforcement
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has significantly increased its air operations, resulting in a substantial rise in carbon emissions. In 2025, ICE's air operations emitted approximately 335,876 tonnes of carbon, marking an 88% increase from the previous year. This trend is continuing into 2026, with emissions in the first four months already indicating a potential 25% increase over 2025. The increase in flights is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under President Trump's administration, which has seen a dramatic rise in deportations and detentions. These operations contribute to global warming and local air pollution, affecting communities near flight hubs such as Phoenix, El Paso, and Alexandria. The emissions are part of a larger environmental impact from the US's immigration detention system, which is the largest in the world. 
