(The Center Square)–Under new Trump administration policies, more than 2.5 million people were removed from the U.S. this year, including a record number of violent offenders.
This includes 622,000 who were deported and 1.9 million who self-deported, according to year-end Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs data.
The Trump administration directed targeted ICE enforcement and removal operations nationwide, involving multiple federal, state and local law enforcement partners.
The majority arrested, 70%, had criminal records. Large percentages included men who were previously deported, including multiple times, and had final removal orders from federal immigration judges. Even during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, ICE continued to apprehend violent offenders. In Houston alone they arrested nearly 3,600, The Center Square reported.
Targeted operations began in so-called sanctuary cities where Democratic governors and mayors ordered law enforcement not to cooperate with federal immigration efforts.
In Massachusetts, during Operation Patriot 1.0 and Patriot 2.0, ICE arrested more than 2,860. During Patriot 2.0, out of 1,400 arrested, more than 600 were convicted felons, had pending criminal charges or were known foreign fugitives; 277 had removal orders, three were known or suspected terrorists, The Center Square reported.
In Chicago, ICE and Border Patrol launched Operation Midway Blitz, arresting more than 4,500. Federal agents were the targets of drive-by shootings, assassination hits and vehicular attacks, The Center Square reported.
In Los Angeles, more than 10,000 illegal foreign nationals were arrested. Americans who targeted ICE officers were also arrested for doxxing, threatening them and their family members and assaulting them, The Center Square reported.
In the Minneapolis area, ICE arrested more than 670 in “Operation Metro Surge.” In “Operation Twin Shield,” ICE worked with federal agents who uncovered extensive immigration fraud, The Center Square reported.
In Portland, Oregon, ICE arrested more than 1,240 in Operation Black Rose.
Enforcement actions continued this year as attacks against ICE increased by 1,000% and death threats increased by 8,000%, The Center Square reported.
ICE and Border Patrol also experienced an historic surge of vehicular attacks this year, The Center Square reported.
Enforcement actions also expanded at the local level through ICE’s 287(g) program. In May, ICE called on law enforcement to support its efforts. As of Dec. 23, ICE has signed 1,255 Memorandums of Agreement with law enforcement agencies in 40 states.
Florida led the U.S. with the most 287(g) agreements this year. ICE also launched the first 287(g) operation of its kind this year in Florida. Through Operation Tidal Wave, ICE and Florida law enforcement arrested more than 1,100 criminal foreign nationals in six days.
ICE also launched new partnerships with Republican-led states to expand detention space this year. This included opening Alligator Alcatraz in Florida, the Speedway Slammer in Indiana, the Cornhusker Clink in Nebraska and Louisiana Lockup in Louisiana.
DHS also launched a new website to show Americans where noncitizens were arrested by state and city. Their criminal histories include murder, aggravated assault, burglary or theft, weapons offenses, aggravated kidnapping, drug and human trafficking and smuggling, making terroristic threats, hit-and-run, arson, violent sexual assaults, multiple aggravated child sex crimes, among others. Those arrested were wanted fugitives, members of foreign terrorist organizations and gang members, The Center Square reported.
The Trump administration terminated parole programs that had been used to release millions of inadmissible foreign nationals into the U.S., including the CBP One app, The Center Square reported.
It was repurposed as a new CBP Home app, through which eligible foreign nationals receive a $1,000 stipend and free flight to return to their country of origin. This year, more than 1.9 million foreign nationals used the app to self-deport for the first time in U.S. history.
DHS also launched Project Homecoming in May, using chartered flights to return individuals and families, including young children, to their home countries. They received travel assistance and a $1,000 stipend, The Center Square reported.
The removal effort was unprecedented. It was also a marked reversal of Biden administration policies that ushered in at least more than 14 million illegal border crossers, The Center Square reported.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.