Biden Administration Surpasses Trump's Record for Deportations, ICE Report Reveals
The United States saw a record-breaking number of deportations in the past fiscal year, according to a report released Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Over 271,000 undocumented immigrants were deported in fiscal year 2024, marking the highest figure in nearly a decade and surpassing the annual totals during former President Donald Trump’s first term.
The report comes just weeks before President-elect Trump, who campaigned on promises of mass deportations, is set to assume office on January 20. Trump has pledged to implement the “largest deportation operation in history” as a cornerstone of his immigration policy.
President Joe Biden, who entered office in 2021 with a pledge to pause deportations, ultimately expanded deportation efforts amid a surge in border crossings. The ICE report attributed the sharp increase in removals to a more efficient deportation process and strengthened diplomatic relations that facilitated returns to countries previously reluctant to accept deportees.
Key Factors Behind the Surge in Deportations
The majority of deportations during fiscal year 2024 involved migrants apprehended by border officials, with about 82% of the cases originating at the U.S.-Mexico border. ICE highlighted the use of additional deportation flights, including to long-distance destinations in Africa and Asia that had resisted accepting U.S. deportations in the past.
Mexican authorities also played a significant role, stepping up efforts to intercept migrants heading north. In addition, President Biden’s executive order in June 2024, which tightened asylum policies, combined with Mexico’s cooperation, helped significantly reduce illegal border crossings.
Record-High Border Encounters Decline
Despite the surge in deportations, migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border peaked at record levels in December 2023. However, those numbers have since dropped sharply, reaching their lowest point since July 2020. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the decrease is linked to improved enforcement measures and reduced releases of migrants pending court proceedings—a figure that has declined by 70% since the executive order.
Trump’s Immigration Plans
Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, blaming them for what he called a “national security nightmare.” His transition team, represented by spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the rise in deportations under Biden as “insignificant” compared to the broader challenges of illegal immigration during his presidency.
“On day one, President Trump will fix the disaster that Joe Biden created by launching the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals in U.S. history,” Leavitt stated.
Challenges Ahead for Trump’s Promises
While Trump has vowed to prioritize large-scale deportations, his ambitious plans face significant logistical and financial obstacles. The complexity of executing mass removals, particularly at such a scale, will likely test the capacity of federal agencies.
As the nation braces for the transition in leadership, the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy continues to be a focal point of political and public debate.
