Defense and security articles
How many people apprehended at US borders have a prior criminal conviction?
About 17,000 people apprehended at US borders had a prior criminal conviction in fiscal year (FY) 2024. The criminal arrests of people who are not US citizens — referred to as aliens in federal law — represents 1.1% of all border apprehensions by the US Border Patrol (USBP) through September 2024, the end of the federal fiscal year.
How many unauthorized immigrants are in the US?
An estimated 11 million in 2022. The unauthorized immigrant population consists of all foreign-born noncitizens who are not legal US residents. This includes people who entered the country undetected, those who requested asylum after entry, and those who sought asylum at the border. It also encompasses people from conflict zones, such as Ukraine, and those who have overstayed their temporary visas.
How many people were deported from the US?
1.09 million in 2023. The Department of Homeland Security defines deportation as the removal or return from the United States of a person that is not a US citizen. However, a broader term, “repatriation,” can be used, which includes COVID-19 related expulsions from the US.
How much fentanyl is seized at US borders each month?
About 463 pounds of fentanyl were seized at US borders in April 2026. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever but is also trafficked illegally due to its potency. In 2024, the latest data available, fentanyl was involved in 60% of fatal accidental drug overdoses in the US.
How many troops are in the US military?
There were about 2.12 million troops in March 2026. This includes 1.35 million active duty troops and 771,200 reserve troops. This includes active duty troops or full-time training duty in the reserves. Reserve troops are withheld from initial action to be deployed at a later time and are subject to call to active duty.
How many people have died in the US military, and how?
Over 80% of active-duty military deaths since 1980 have come from accidents, illness, and suicides.
How much does the US spend on defense?
The US spent about $916.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Defense spending includes personnel compensation, equipment, research and development (R&D), and the costs associated with operating and maintaining military efforts. The Department of Defense is responsible for most spending on national defense, along with other agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.
How many people does ICE arrest?
149,070 arrests by the two operational branches of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in fiscal year (FY) 2024. That includes 113,430 administrative arrests (76.1% of total arrests) conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), as well as criminal arrests: 3,032 by ERO and 32,608 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the transnational criminal investigative division of ICE.
How many people are being detained by ICE?
70,805 people as of the end of December, according to the agency. That’s a 73.5% increase from the same period a year prior.
What does USAID do?
USAID (US Agency for International Development) is an independent executive branch agency responsible for administering foreign aid and economic development assistance outside the US. Its functions include supporting economic growth, global health, and education; providing humanitarian aid in response to crises; and advancing US foreign policy goals through partnerships. It was established in 1961 as part of the Foreign Assistance Act.
What does the Coast Guard (USCG) do?
The US Coast Guard (USCG) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and stewardship of the nation's waters. The agency conducts search and rescue operations, enforces maritime law, and protects the marine environment. It also supports national defense and responds to natural and man-made disasters. It was established in 1790.
What does the National Security Council (NSC) do?
The National Security Council (NSC) is a subdivision of the Executive Office of the President responsible for advising the President on national security and foreign policy matters. The NSC coordinates these policies among various government agencies to ensure a unified national security strategy. It was established in 1947.
What does the Department of Defense (DOD) do?
The Department of Defense (DOD) is cabinet-level executive branch agency tasked with maintaining and overseeing the military forces of the United States. Its primary functions include overseeing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force; creating military policies; and managing the defense budget. It was established in 1947.
What does the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) do?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for protecting the United States against potential threats. Its primary functions include anti-terrorism efforts, border security, immigration and customs enforcement, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management. It was established in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and began operations in 2003.
What does the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) do?
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. The agency works to enhance the security, resilience, and reliability of the nation's cyber and physical infrastructure through partnerships, information sharing, and risk management. It also provides resources, tools, and support to help organizations and individuals safeguard their systems and respond to incidents. It was established in 2018.
What does the State Department (DOS) do?
The Department of State (State Department, DOS) is an executive branch agency responsible for conducting US foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Its functions include negotiating treaties, representing the US in international organizations, issuing passports and visas, coordinating refugee and humanitarian assistance, and overseeing foreign aid and embassy operations. It was established in 1789.
What does the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for providing healthcare services, benefits programs, and access to national cemeteries for the nation's veterans and their dependents. It was established as the Veterans Administration in 1930 and elevated to cabinet status in 1989.
What does the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) do?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for ensuring the security of the traveling public in the United States. The agency oversees security operations at airports, including passenger screening and baggage inspection, and works to prevent and respond to threats against transportation systems. It also collaborates with other federal, state, and local agencies to ensure transportation security. It was established in 2001.
What is NATO and why was it formed?
The alliance binds 32 European and North American countries together in a common-defense agreement.
Department of Defense or Department of War: Which is it?
The DOD’s new secondary title is a callback to the agency’s original name.
How many cyberattacks occur in the US?
Over the past five years, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received an annual average of 863,000 cyberattack complaints.
How many people are in the US military?
The US military had 2.81 million service members worldwide in 2025, of which 1.33 million were active-duty.
Where are US troops stationed?
As of December 2025, Japan and Germany host the most US troops abroad, while California and Virginia have the largest numbers domestically.
What is expedited removal?
A process to deport some immigrants without undergoing the full removal process was expanded in 2025.
What is ICE and what does it do?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, aims to preserve American safety by detaining, deporting, and sometimes, convicting unauthorized immigrants.
What countries does the US recognize?
The State Department recognizes 196 other countries and 64 dependencies and sovereign areas.
What is the National Guard and what does it do?
One of the US’ military reserve services has been in the news in 2025.
How has military enlistment changed?
After decades of declining military applications and enrollments, the military expects to exceed 2025 recruiting goals.
How many Americans have died from terrorist attacks since 9/11?
Most terrorist attacks in the US are non-lethal and are motivated by a wide range of extremist ideologies.
Supreme Court agrees to review 'Remain in Mexico' policy
About 0.8% of people enrolled in the program were able to legally enter the US.
Border recidivism: How common are repeat illegal border crossings?
More than a quarter of migrants attempted to illegally cross into the US more than once in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
How much aid does the US give to Israel?
Israel has received more foreign aid from the US than any other country since WWII.
How does the government support veterans?
Over 93% of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual spending funds pensions, compensation, medical care, and education programs for veterans.
How is the standard of living changing for veterans?
Veterans in the US earn higher incomes and have lower unemployment and poverty rates than the general population.
Sexual assault reports increased 28% at US military academies in 2022
Twenty-one percent of female cadets and 4% of male cadets said they’d experienced unwanted sexual contact in the 2021–22 school year.
Who are the nation’s veterans?
As of 2023, 15.8 million Americans identified as veterans. The number of living veterans in the United States is declining — but the veteran population is growing more diverse.
An overview of the US–Mexico border
Around 15 million people live in the US–Mexico border region.
How much does the US spend on the military?
Since 1980, defense spending has risen by 62%, climbing from $506 billion to $820 billion by 2023, after adjusting for inflation.
What can the data tell us about unauthorized immigration?
The US has reported nearly 11 million unauthorized border encounters between October 2019 and June 2024.
What is a defense contract?
Of the 15 federal departments, the Department of Defense spends the most on outside contracts.