What's the difference between detention and deportation?

Detention and deportation are not the same thing. Detention means being held in ICE custody while immigration status or removal proceedings are pending. Deportation is the legal act of being removed from the United States after a removal order is issued and executed. Some people are released from detention temporarily, such as on bond or supervision, while their case continues, but that does not end the removal process. Whether detention results in deportation depends on how the case is resolved.