U.S. murder rates have reached their lowest level since approximately 1900, with the violent crime rate decreasing by 9.3 percent in 2025—the largest year-to-year drop since the FBI began tracking such trends in 1936.
This decline coincides with a significant reduction in net migration, which may have turned negative after deportations of up to three million individuals under the current administration. Approximately 190,000 of those deported had criminal convictions, and many thousands were gang members.
Data from the Justice Department’s National Crime Victimization Survey shows violent incidents decreased by 2.16 million in 2025 compared to 2.83 million in 2024 (excluding simple assault). Aggravated assaults fell by 31 percent, motor vehicle theft by 30 percent, burglary and trespassing by 25 percent. Households experienced roughly 3.5 million fewer property crimes.
The reduction has been accompanied by significant declines in retail theft—annual losses in 2022 totaled approximately $72.9 billion—and the average family was affected by over $400 in theft costs that year.
A recent deportation effort, Operation Rotten Apple, conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City during July and August resulted in arrests of over 2,000 illegal aliens. Among those apprehended were individuals with criminal histories from various countries, including:
– Bogdan Detrovich Gren, an illegal alien from Ukraine, who has been convicted for kidnapping, abduction resulting in death, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder.
– Andreas Bernal Chiquito, an illegal alien from Colombia, with arrests for sexual conduct against children and acts intended to injure minors under 17.
– Noel Celestino Lopez Martinez, an illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for first-degree rape through forcible compulsion.
– Palvinder Singh, an illegal alien from India, convicted in Germany for rape.
– Chhun Kim Pril, an illegal alien from Cambodia, convicted for drug trafficking.
Local officials such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have opposed ICE operations and been vocal in their resistance to these efforts.
Democratic leaders have pledged to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a policy that could undermine recent progress in reducing crime.
