As the Department of Homeland Security touted high arrest and deportation numbers, Rebecca Santana set out to test those claims — and uncovered significant gaps in the administration’s transparency.
Santana found that key immigration data sources long used by researchers and journalists had not been updated since President Donald Trump took office. Through interviews with experts, she identified how the flow of public information had slowed or stopped altogether, making it increasingly difficult to independently verify government claims.
To fill those gaps, Santana built her own dataset using information the government is required by law to release. By comparing those figures with DHS’s public statements, she revealed inconsistencies and highlighted how limited data access has made it harder to assess whether the administration is meeting its stated goals.
The reporting provided clarity on a complex issue and underscored the importance of accessible public data in holding government accountable.
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