US deportations under Biden rose to decade high, outpacing Trump years
U.S. Deportations Reach Decade-High: Over 270,000 Immigrants Removed in 12 Months
The United States deported more than 270,000 immigrants during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, marking the highest annual total in a decade, according to a report released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This figure nearly doubled from 142,580 deportations in the previous year, highlighting the Biden administration’s intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration.
Record Deportations Since 2014
ICE's latest enforcement report reveals that deportations reached levels not seen since 2014, when 315,943 immigrants were removed. The 2024 total surpasses any annual figures recorded during Donald Trump’s presidency (2017–2021), underscoring a shift in immigration enforcement under the Biden administration. Immigrants were deported to 192 countries, with increased deportation flights—often conducted on weekends—and streamlined procedures for removals to Central American nations like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Biden Administration's Tougher Immigration Stance
Although President Joe Biden initially campaigned on reversing Trump’s restrictive immigration policies, his administration adopted stricter enforcement measures in response to surging illegal immigration. This shift has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, labeling Biden’s efforts as inadequate compared to the influx of unauthorized immigrants during his term.
Trump’s Promise of Mass Deportations
Looking ahead to his return to the White House, Donald Trump has pledged to implement the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Plans reportedly include utilizing federal resources and expanding immigration detention facilities, a groundwork partially laid by the Biden administration.
Trump’s previous efforts to increase deportations during his first term met with limited success, with ICE removing 267,000 immigrants in fiscal year 2019—fewer than the annual averages under Barack Obama’s administration.
The Growing Challenge of Illegal Immigration
Estimates suggest that 11 million immigrants lacked legal status or had temporary protections in 2022, with recent analyses raising that number to 13–14 million. As immigration continues to dominate political discourse, the stage is set for a contentious debate over enforcement and reform in the years ahead.
This record-breaking surge in deportations highlights the evolving priorities of U.S. immigration policy and sets the tone for future strategies under shifting political leadership.
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