U.S. Deportations of Immigrants Rise to Highest Level Since 2014
Record High Deportations Under President Joe Biden
U.S. deportations of immigrants have risen to the highest level since 2014, according to a U.S. government report released on Thursday. The report shows that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 271,000 immigrants to 192 countries in fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30. This marks the highest number of deportations since President Joe Biden took office in 2021 and higher than any year during President Donald Trump’s 2017-2021 administration.
Biden’s Enforcement Approach
Biden, a Democrat, took office pledging to roll back Trump’s more restrictive immigration policies, but struggled with high levels of illegal immigration and gradually toughened his enforcement approach. Trump, a Republican, won another term in the White House in November promising to deport record numbers of immigrants in the U.S. illegally as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
Trump’s Response
Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Biden’s deportations were insignificant compared to the high levels of illegal immigration during his presidency. "On day one, President Trump will fix the immigration and national security nightmare that Joe Biden created by launching the largest mass deportation operation of illegal criminals in United States history," she said.
Immigration Crisis
Some 11 million immigrants lacked legal status or had temporary protections in 2022, according to government and think-tank estimates, a figure that some analysts now place at 13 million-14 million. The incoming Trump administration plans to tap resources across the federal government to power the planned deportation initiative, Reuters reported last month.
Historical Context
Trump tried to increase deportations during his first term with limited success. ICE removed 267,000 immigrants in fiscal year 2019, fewer than most years under Trump’s Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama. When looking at both deportations by ICE and returns to Mexico by U.S. border authorities, Biden had more in fiscal 2023 than any Trump year.
Recent Trend
While deportations rose in fiscal year 2024, the number of ICE arrests of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally dropped by 33% compared with the previous year, the agency’s annual report said, attributing the falloff to more officers assisting with border security operations.
Conclusion
The recent surge in deportations is a significant development in the ongoing immigration debate in the United States. As the country continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration, it is essential to consider the implications of these policies on individuals, communities, and the economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current immigration policy in the United States?
- The current policy is a blend of deportation and border security measures, with a focus on reducing illegal immigration.
- How many immigrants were deported in fiscal year 2024?
- According to the U.S. government report, 271,000 immigrants were deported in fiscal year 2024.
- Is this the highest level of deportations since 2014?
- Yes, it is the highest level of deportations since 2014.
- What is the current estimate of immigrants lacking legal status or temporary protections?
- The current estimate is around 13 million-14 million.