"The Data of Mass Deportation" – My Interview with WNYC's Brian Lehrer

I joined Brian Lehrer on WNYC this morning to discuss the latest data on immigration detention under the Trump administration—and what we’re seeing is both unprecedented and troubling.

For the first time since ICE began releasing biweekly detention data in 2018, the number of people in custody has reached nearly 58,000. That number alone would be alarming, but what’s even more significant is the speed at which it’s grown—much fast than the first Trump administration.

We also talked about the politics behind ICE’s arrest quotas, which have jumped from 1,000 to 3,000 per day, and are now being floated as high as 7,000. While ICE has not met those targets, the administration’s public messaging about mass deportation is clearly driving policy, even when it outruns operational reality.

What we’re witnessing isn’t just enforcement—it’s the weaponization of bureaucracy, from ICE arrests to green card interviews, designed to make people afraid to show up, comply, or even stay visible in their own communities.

What made this interview especially powerful were the calls we received from listeners—people directly affected by the system.

We heard from a woman in the Bronx whose caregiver is losing TPS, a man from Montclair grappling with fear in his immigrant community, and a woman whose cousin is facing a green card interview just as his child prepares for brain surgery.

These stories reminded us that immigration enforcement isn't just about "the border"—it’s deeply embedded in our neighborhoods, workplaces, families, and daily lives.

Please take a moment to listen to the full interview, especially if you care about how data, policy, and politics collide in the lives of everyday people. And if you find it helpful or moving, I’d be grateful if you shared it with others.

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